Iran's IRGC Claims to Shoot Down Two US Jets: F-35 Official, F-15E Actual
Key Takeaways
- IRGC claims shot down a US F-35 over central Iran; pilot fate unknown.
- Wreckage imagery and analysts hint an F-15E, not an F-35, was downed.
- U.S. CENTCOM has not confirmed the strike; no official comment as of reporting.
IRGC Claims Two US Jets Downed
Iran's IRGC claimed it shot down two American fighter jets within 12 hours using advanced air defense systems.
“ANKARA Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central parts of the country, Iranian media reported”
The IRGC identified both as F-35 stealth fighters — a claim the US did not confirm.
Imagery analyzed by multiple sources indicated at least one set of wreckage was from an F-15E Strike Eagle, not an F-35.
No official US Pentagon confirmation had been issued at the time.
Conflicting Identification: F-35 or F-15E?
Iranian media consistently called the downed jets F-35 stealth fighters.
Open-source analysts pointed out inconsistencies in the paint scheme and markings.
The wreckage clearly belonged to an F-15E from the 494th or 493rd Fighter Squadron.
The United States had previously acknowledged one of the two Iranian-claimed F-35 shootdowns.
Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
Both the US and Iranian militaries launched search and rescue operations for the downed crews.
“US F-15E fighter jet shot down by Iran, sparking manhunt Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defences shot down a US F-15E fighter jet over southwestern Iran on Friday”
Iranian TV urged residents to hand over any enemy pilot to police.
Four US servicemembers had already died in the campaign.
Next Steps in Epic Fury?
Iran's downing of US jets intensified the aerial dueling in Epic Fury.
Months of strikes have demolished civilian infrastructure across Iran.
Ambiguities about aircraft types underscored verification challenges in a combat zone.
The incident raised questions about whether this marked a turning point in the war.
Casualties Mount
The IRGC partly acknowledged losses including 3,413 killed or wounded.
“Iran Claims Second US F-35 Fighter Jet Shot Down, Pilot's Survival Unlikely Iran claimed the survival of the F-35 fighter jet pilot was unlikely due to serious injuries, although the US Central Command has not confirmed the strike Iranian semi-official Mehr News Agency claimed that a second US F-35 fighter jet had been shot down in central Iran, adding that it was unlikely that the pilot survived due to serious injuries, citing a spokesperson of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters”
India announced a medical assistance delegation to Baghdad.
European Parliament President warned unrestrained destruction needed to end.
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