Iran has announced that it successfully targeted a U.S.-made F-35 fifth-generation fighter jet valued at approximately $100 million, reportedly causing damage that forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing at a U.S. military base in the region. If confirmed, this would mark the first time Iran has publicly claimed to have intercepted an F-35 during an ongoing conflict. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the strike was carried out using what it described as an “advanced air defense system.” According to the announcement, the incident occurred in central Iranian airspace at approximately 2:50 a.m. local time on Friday, March 20, 2026.
In an official statement, the IRGC noted that the exact fate of the aircraft remains unclear and is still under investigation. However, it suggested that the possibility of the jet being destroyed is “very high.” The same statement also claimed that a total of 125 long-range drones belonging to the United States and Israel have been intercepted during the course of the conflict. According to reports, the weapon used in the engagement appears to be a domestically produced surface-to-air missile known as the “358 missile,” also referred to as SA-67. This system is believed to have entered service in the late 2010s and is designed to target both aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Military analysts have suggested that the missile combines features of traditional anti-aircraft systems with loitering drone technology. This hybrid capability allows it to remain airborne for extended periods, effectively waiting for targets before striking.m Despite these claims, independent verification has not yet been provided, and details surrounding the incident remain limited. Historically, the F-35 is designed with advanced stealth technology, making it difficult to detect and intercept. As with many developments reported during active conflicts, such claims should be treated with caution until confirmed by multiple credible sources or official U.S. statements.
