Iran has claimed that its air defence systems hit a US F-35 fighter jet in a major development during the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the United States confirmed that the aircraft was damaged but said it landed safely.

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the stealth jet was targeted over central Iran in the early hours. Officials said the aircraft was “struck and seriously damaged” and suggested it might have crashed, though this remains unclear.

Iranian authorities also said the strike shows improvements in their air defence system. They linked the incident to recent interceptions of US and Israeli drones. Videos shared online claimed to show the moment of impact, calling it a “world first”.

On the other hand, the United States confirmed that one of its F-35 Lightning II aircraft was damaged during a combat mission. A spokesperson said the jet made an emergency landing at a nearby base and that the pilot is safe.

US officials have not confirmed that the jet was shot down. They said the exact cause of the damage is still under investigation, and the Pentagon has launched a formal probe into the incident.

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If Iran’s claim is confirmed, it would be the first time a US fighter jet has been successfully hit during the current conflict. The situation has added to rising tensions between both sides.

The conflict, now entering its third week, began after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, Iran has carried out missile and drone attacks across the region, targeting multiple locations linked to US forces.

Despite the claims, US officials say their operations have weakened Iran’s military capabilities. However, the latest incident shows that the situation remains uncertain and risky.

The F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, designed to avoid radar and operate in dangerous environments. Any confirmed damage to such an aircraft could have serious military and financial implications.