Iran shoots down second US F-35 fighter jet
Iranian authorities have claimed to have shot down a second United States F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, Reuters reported, citing the Mehr news agency on Friday.
Iranian sources said that the survival of the pilot is unlikely, although this has not been confirmed by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). Before this, Iran had announced on March 19 that it had shot down a US F-35, a claim rejected by Washington.
'Pilot is unlikely to have ejected'
Press TV, citing a statement attributed to the spokesman of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, claimed the jet was downed by a new IRGC Aerospace Force air-defense system. "A second US fifth-generation F-35 was struck and downed over central Iran by a new IRGC Aerospace Force air-defense system. Given the massive explosion on impact and during the crash, the pilot is unlikely to have ejected," Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Spokesman stated.
Iran shares pictures of alleged downed jet
Spokesman of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters:
— Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) April 3, 2026
🔺 A second US fifth-generation F-35 was struck and downed over central Iran.
🔺 Given the massive explosion on impact and during the crash, the pilot is unlikely to have ejected. pic.twitter.com/8TX4jsbebw
Iran also launched missiles at Israel
Iran also launched missiles at Israel on Friday morning, which the country's military was attempting to intercept. Israel's military announced in a statement that it has "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel." It added, "Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat." Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said in a statement that it had targeted areas of Tel Aviv and the port city of Eilat with long-range missiles.