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A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at a U.S. air base in the Middle East after being reportedly struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, sources familiar with the matter confirmed.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation stealth aircraft was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to land. “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added, noting that the incident is under investigation.

Significance in Ongoing Conflict

If confirmed, this marks the first known instance of Iran hitting a U.S. aircraft since the conflict began in late February. Both U.S. and Israeli forces have deployed F-35 jets, valued at over $100 million each, in the ongoing war.

While the U.S. has lost other aircraft during the conflict, none had previously been struck by enemy fire. Earlier incidents include the accidental shootdown of three F-15 jets by Kuwaiti air defenses, with all six crew members ejecting safely. A KC-135 Stratotanker also crashed in western Iraq last week, killing all six crew aboard; military officials said that crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire.

Military Movements and Regional Tensions

The situation raises questions about the next phase of the conflict. CNN previously reported that the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, out of Okinawa, along with the USS Tripoli, is heading to the region. The vessel was spotted near Singapore earlier this week.

US Officials Claim Military Success

As the war nears its third week, senior U.S. officials have maintained that operations against Iran are progressing successfully. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Thursday morning that the U.S. is “winning decisively” and that Iranian air defenses have been “flattened.”

The emergency landing underscores the escalating stakes in the region and highlights the vulnerability of even the most advanced stealth aircraft amid ongoing combat operations.