Iran says shot down F-35 fighter jet with new defence system

South China Morning Post ConflictNews ReportEN 1 min read 100% complete by dpaApril 3, 2026 at 09:56 AM

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Iranian forces launch search for crew of downed US fighter jet

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that it shot down an F-35 fighter jet over Iranian airspace using a new, advanced defense system. The IRGC claimed this was the second F-35 they have downed, stating the aircraft was completely destroyed and the pilot's fate is unknown. As of Friday, there was no initial confirmation of the incident from the United States, which has been engaged in conflict with Iran alongside Israel since late February. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has previously dismissed Iranian claims of downing US fighter jets. However, the US military admitted last month that an F-35 made an emergency landing after a combat mission over Iran, though the pilot was reported to be stable.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

A US F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing after flying a combat mission over Iran.

factual — US military100% confidence

The IRGC said the F-35 was the second to have been shot down.

factual — IRGC100% confidence

There was no initial confirmation of the incident from the United States.

factual100% confidence

The fighter jet was shot down over Iranian airspace by a new, advanced defence system.

factual — Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)100% confidence

Iran said it shot down an F-35 fighter jet.

factual — Iran100% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

US Central Command (CENTCOM) 40% Israel 50% Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) ×370% United States ×370% F-35 ×580% Iran ×590%

Keywords

f-35 fighter jet 100% shot down 90% defence system 70% iranian airspace 60% islamic revolutionary guard corps 60% united states 50% military force 50% combat mission 40%