Iran has released dramatic footage claiming its air defenses successfully tracked and shot down a US F-35 stealth fighter jet over central Iran, calling it a major breakthrough against one of the world’s most advanced aircraft.
According to an Iranian military statement, the jet was locked, engaged and severely damaged in mid-air. The claim has been framed as a powerful sign that even fifth-generation stealth technology is no longer unassailable in modern warfare.
However, available reports only indicate that a US F-35 was damaged and forced to make an emergency landing during a combat mission with the pilot safe and the incident is under investigation.
There is still no independent confirmation that Iran successfully shot down or disabled the jet, and similar claims in the past have been disputed or proven false.
