Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Thursday it struck and “seriously damaged” a U.S. F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, claiming the aircraft was hit by its air defense systems overnight.
In a statement, the IRGC said the aircraft was hit by its air defense systems at around 2.50 a.m. early Thursday (2320GMT Wednesday night), adding that "a U.S. F-35 fighter jet was struck and seriously damaged" over central Iran.
It added that "the fate of the aircraft remains unknown and is under investigation," noting there is a "high possibility" that the jet may have crashed.
The IRGC also said the operation came "following the successful interception of more than 125 U.S.-Israeli drones," adding that the incident "reflects significant and targeted improvements in the country's integrated air defense systems."
Regional tensions have escalated since the U.S. and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
