Iran declare $100 million US fighter jet shot down with pilot ‘feared lifeless’
An F-35 fighter jet has reportedly been downed in Iran, according to the country’s state media agency, with several photos claiming to be of the wreckage site being released
Iranian state media released this image, alongside several others, claiming it to be a part of the reported wreckage(Image: Collect)
A US Air Force pilot was killed when a fighter jet worth around $100 million was shot down by Iran, state media claims. The F-35 fighter jet is sai to have been shot down by by a “new defence system” and crashed somewhere in central Iran.
A statement released by The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – the feared military arm of the Iranian regime –said: “Due to the severe explosion of the fighter jet upon impact and crash, it is unlikely that the pilot has escaped. “
Pictures purporting to be the wrecked plane have been published by Iranian state media. The Daily Star is not able to confirm these images as being genuine. The US has not confirmed the claim.
Iran said it also attacked an “enemy” fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz but US military refuted the “false claim” which it said had been made “at least half a dozen times”.
It comes after Donald Trump boasted about an attack on Iran’s tallest bridge yesterday and warned power plants will become the next targets as the US steps up its attacks.
If the strike is confirmed, the incident will be added to a growing list of downed US aircraft during the conflict, as well as another potential loss of life.
In March this year, two American planes were reported as being downed flying over Iraq, although reports indicate that neither aircraft was attacked nor the victim of friendly fire.
In a statement by US Central Command, they wrote: “US Central Command is aware of the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refuelling aircraft. The incident occurred in friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
“Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely.
“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire. More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.”
Six crew members were later reported dead following the crash.
And on March 5, a Kuwaiti pilot accidentally shot down three state-of-the-art American jets, thinking they were enemy Iranian planes instead.
The gaffe, which took place around 6.2 miles from the US Ali Al Salem air base in Kuwait, is believed to be the most expensive example of friendly fire in the history of modern warfare, considering the total cost of the planes destroyed.
All pilots involved in that crash survived.
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