Iran Claims to Have Successfully Shot Down US F-35

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday (3/4) to have shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central Iran, according to local media. The fate of the pilot remains unknown after the aircraft was destroyed, stated the Tasnim news agency, citing an IRGC statement. As of now, the United States (US) has not responded to the report. The IRGC statement marks the second time Iran has claimed to have shot down a US F-35 fighter jet since the conflict escalation on 28 February. On 19 March, Iran announced it had shot down an F-35, but the US denied that claim. On Thursday, Iran also claimed to have downed an Israeli F-16 fighter jet. The Middle East has been on high alert since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on 28 February. Those attacks killed more than 1,340 people, including Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iran subsequently launched drone and missile attacks on Israel as well as US military facilities in Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries. Those attacks caused casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation. Iran, through the IRGC, has threatened to attack 18 US technology companies in the Middle East, including Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Iran confirmed the death of IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri due to an Israeli attack. This key figure behind the Strait of Hormuz blockade fell amid strikes on Tehran. The IRGC struck a Ukrainian anti-drone system warehouse in Dubai. 21 Ukrainian personnel are feared dead in the operation targeting US-supporting military assets in the UAE. The United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, including Tehran, causing infrastructure damage and casualties. Expert analysis suggests the US-Israel war failed to spark a revolution in Iran. The military aggression instead strengthened military loyalty and silenced moderate groups within Tehran.