Iran has announced that it successfully targeted a U.S.-made F-35 fifth-generation fighter jet, valued at around $100 million, reportedly causing damage that forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at a U.S. military base in the region. If verified, this would be the first time Iran has publicly claimed to intercept an F-35 during an ongoing conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the strike was carried out using an “advanced air defense system” and occurred in central Iranian airspace at approximately 2:50 a.m. local time on Friday, March 20, 2026.
The IRGC’s statement noted that the precise fate of the jet remains unclear and is under investigation, though it suggested the likelihood of destruction is “very high.” The announcement also claimed that 125 long-range drones belonging to the United States and Israel have been intercepted during the conflict. Reports indicate that the weapon involved was a domestically produced surface-to-air missile known as the “358 missile” or SA-67, which reportedly entered service in the late 2010s and is designed to engage both manned aircraft and drones.
Analysts have suggested that the missile combines conventional anti-aircraft capabilities with loitering drone technology, allowing it to remain airborne for extended periods to wait for targets. However, independent verification of Iran’s claims has not yet been provided. The F-35 is designed with advanced stealth features, making it difficult to detect and intercept, so claims of a successful strike should be treated cautiously. Historically, incidents reported during active conflicts often require multiple sources or official confirmations before being considered fully reliable. The situation remains fluid, and further details are expected as investigations continue.
