A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at US air base in the Middle East after it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation stealth jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing. Hawkins said the aircraft landed safely and the incident is under investigation. “This incident is under investigation.”The incident would be the first time Iran has hit a US aircraft in the war started in late February. The US has lost other aircraft in the war thus far, though none known to have been hit by enemy fire.

Source: CNN March 19, 2026 20:24 UTC