U.S. F-35 fighter jet makes emergency landing over Iranian fire: media

Xinhua
19 Mar 2026, 22:45 GMT+10

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday at a U.S. military base in the Middle East after it was struck by what was believed to be Iranian fire, according to a CNN report citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The incident would be the first time Iran has hit a U.S. warplane since the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Feb. 28, said the report.

The jet was "flying a combat mission over Iran" when it made the emergency landing, Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, was quoted as saying.

"The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition," Hawkins said. "This incident is under investigation."

Both the U.S. and Israeli forces are flying F-35 jets in the conflict with Iran, said the report, noting that the aircraft costs upwards of 100 million U.S. dollars.

Earlier on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon press conference that Iran's air defenses have been "flattened."

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said at the press conference that Iran retains "some capability" to attack assets of the United States and its allies in the Middle East, including oil facilities.

The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran escalated after an Israeli strike on Iran's South Pars gas field on Wednesday, with Qatar later reporting fires and extensive damage at liquefied natural gas facilities following Iranian strikes, sending oil and gas prices surging again on Thursday.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Calgary Monitor.

More Information

North America

Section

U.S. F-35 fighter jet makes emergency landing over Iranian fire: media

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday at a U.S. military base...

Washington Eases Sanctions On Minsk As Belarus Releases 250 Prisoners

The United States has lifted sanctions on several Belarusian entities and the country's Finance Ministry as Belarus announced the release...

"We're on plan, winning decisively and on our terms": US Defence Secretary on Iran war; rejects suggestions of 'forever war'

Washington DC [US], March 19 (ANI): US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said the United States remains 'on plan' in its war...

US considers un-sanctioning Iran oil to mitigate global crude price surge: US Treasury Secy

New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): The United States is considering a move to un-sanction Iranian oil as a primary measure to stabilize...

US dragged by Israel into unlawful war with Iran Gulf state

Washington now needs help to disengage, Oman has said The US has been drawn by Israel into an unlawful war against Iran and needs...

Roundup: FBI reportedly investigating former U.S. senior official who resigned over Iran war

In his letter to Trump, former counterterrorism official Joe Kent said that he cannot support sending the next generation off to fight...

Canada

Section