A U.S. F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at an American airbase in the Middle East after being struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, according to sources familiar with the incident.

U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said the stealth aircraft was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when the incident occurred. “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” he said, adding that the matter is under investigation.

If confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of Iran successfully striking a U.S. aircraft since the war began in late February.

The incident comes as senior U.S. officials continue to project confidence in the campaign. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is “winning decisively” and that Iran’s air defenses have been “flattened.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)