Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Iran claimed a symbolic battlefield success on Thursday, releasing footage it says shows a US F-35 stealth fighter being struck by air defense systems, even as American officials downplayed the incident and insisted operations remain firmly under control.
The black-and-white video aired by Iranian media appears to capture a fighter jet being hit mid-air before the footage abruptly cuts off. If verified, the incident would mark the first known case of a US-made F-35 being successfully struck by enemy fire during combat.
The US military acknowledged an incident involving one of its advanced aircraft. United States Central Command confirmed that an F-35 was forced to make an emergency landing while conducting a combat mission over Iran.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” said Captain Tim Hawkins, adding that the jet was able to reach a US base in the region. It remains unclear whether the pilot sustained any injuries or the extent of damage to the aircraft.
Despite the incident, Donald Trump struck a confident tone shortly afterward, telling reporters that Iran’s air defense capabilities had effectively been neutralized. “Nobody is even shooting at us,” he said less than an hour after reports of the strike surfaced, highlighting a growing gap between battlefield developments and official messaging.
The episode comes at a critical juncture in the conflict, now entering its third week, with tensions intensifying across multiple fronts. Trump had earlier criticized Israeli operations targeting an Iranian gas facility, an attack that contributed to a sharp escalation in regional hostilities and triggered retaliatory strikes.
Iran’s military campaign continued throughout Thursday, including drone attacks targeting infrastructure in Israel. One strike reportedly hit a major oil refinery in Haifa, further rattling already volatile global energy markets.
Oil prices surged in response to the escalating risks. US crude rose nearly 5 percent, while Brent Crude climbed as high as $118 per barrel—an increase of more than 60 percent since the conflict began. Analysts warn that continued disruptions to energy infrastructure and shipping routes could deepen economic instability worldwide.
As the war entered its 19th day, Iran also launched attacks on key Gulf oil facilities and reportedly forced the closure of a Saudi oil port along the Red Sea, raising fears of broader regional fallout.
Despite the mounting challenges, US officials continue to portray the military campaign as successful, emphasizing operational achievements while downplaying isolated setbacks. However, the reported strike on one of America’s most advanced and costly fighter jets underscores the growing complexity and unpredictability of the conflict.
