A United States F-35 fighter jet was forced to conduct an emergency landing at an American base due to suspected Iranian fire, as reported by US sources.

According to Capt Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, the fifth-generation stealth jet was on a combat mission over Iran when it had to make the emergency landing in the Middle East. Capt Hawkins confirmed that the aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. The incident is currently under investigation.

CNN revealed that two unnamed US sources familiar with the situation stated that the aircraft was hit by what is believed to be Iranian fire. If verified, this would mark the first known instance of a US jet being struck by Iranian fire since the conflict began.

This incident follows the accidental downing of three American fighter jets by friendly Kuwaiti fire on March 2 during an Iranian air assault, as acknowledged by the US military. All six crew members were able to safely eject from the F-15E Strike Eagles and were in stable condition after being rescued. The planes were shot down amidst an attack by Iranian aircraft, missiles, and drones.

Thirteen American service members have lost their lives in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Six members of a US Army Reserve unit perished in a strike in Kuwait on March 1. Additionally, a service member injured in an attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1 succumbed to their injuries seven days later. Another six service members were killed when a US refuelling aircraft crashed over Iraq on March 12.