F-35 jet is forced to make an emergency landing

19/03/2026

F-35 jet is forced to make an emergency landing

WASHINGTON (AP), March 19: A U.S. F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing following a combat mission over Iran, the U.S. Central Command confirmed.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the command overseeing operations in the Middle East, said the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition.

Earlier, Iran's IRGC claimed that it had attacked an American F-35 fighter jet. Media reports later said that an F-35 jet had made an emergency landing.

CNN reported that the jet may have been struck by Iranian fire, though Capt. Hawkins declined to comment on that claim, noting that the incident is currently under investigation.

The circumstances surrounding the mission and the emergency landing are being reviewed as part of ongoing security and operational assessments.