SRINAGAR: Iran on Friday said a second F-35 Lightning II had been shot down over central Iran, according to a Reuters report citing the Mehr News Agency. The report added that the pilot was unlikely to have survived.
The claim follows an earlier incident two weeks ago in which a US F-35 was struck during a combat mission over Iran, forcing an emergency landing at a US base in the Middle East. At that time, American officials had said the pilot survived and was in stable condition. Iran had asserted that its air defence systems were responsible, potentially marking the first instance of it hitting one of the United States’ most advanced fighter aircraft during the ongoing conflict.
The F-35 is among the most advanced fighter jets in service and a key component of US and allied air power. Valued at over $100 million per unit, it is operated or ordered by more than 19 countries and is one of the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighters globally.
So far, there has been no confirmation from US Central Command regarding the latest claim.
