In a move that could potentially trigger a full-scale regional war, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday, April 3, 2026, to have shot down another U.S. F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet. According to Iranian state media Press TV, the fifth-generation aircraft was intercepted by a new indigenous air defense system over central Iran. The IRGC stated that the impact caused a massive explosion, making it highly unlikely for the pilot to have ejected safely.

This follows a similar incident on March 19, making it the second time in two weeks that Iran has claimed victory over Washington’s “invincible” stealth technology. While the IRGC has released reports identifying the aircraft as part of the Lakenheath squadron, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has maintained a strategic silence on the latest claim. Previously, U.S. officials admitted an F-35 had made an emergency landing following Iranian fire but denied any total losses. As tensions soar and global oil prices fluctuate, this latest “aerial kill” claim by Tehran has pushed the Middle East to the brink of a catastrophic confrontation.