U.S. F-35 stealth fighter hit by suspected Iranian fire: reports

A U.S. F-35 stealth warplane was hit by suspected Iranian fire and made an emergency landing at American air base in West Asia, U.S. media reported on Thursday (March 19, 2026).

“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command, said in a statement, without confirming the reports from outlets including ABC and CNN.

“This incident is under investigation,” Mr. Hawkins added.

The United States has lost multiple aircraft during the conflict — including three F-15s mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti forces, and a KC-135 refueling aircraft that crashed in Iraq — but none that are known to have been hit by Iranian fire.

The United States and Israel launched a massive air campaign against Iran following a major buildup of U.S. military forces — including F-35s — in the region.

Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed since the start of the operation on February 28: six in the KC-135 crash and seven in Iranian attacks early in the war.

Around 200 U.S. military personnel have also been wounded in seven countries across West Asia since the start of the war, most of whom have already returned to duty, according to the U.S. military.