Iran Claims Downing of Two More U.S. Fighter Jets, Including Second F-35

Dubai- Iranian forces have reportedly shot down two additional advanced U.S. fighter jets today, including a second F-35, challenging U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier claim that American forces had destroyed Iran's air defense systems.

U.S. Central Command has not issued an immediate response to these claims. Previously, when Iran announced the downing of another fighter jet, U.S. officials denied the incident first but later admitted its fall. 

In a statement released on Friday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said its newly developed and advanced air defense systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed a stealth F-35 fighter jet over central Iran. According to the statement, the aircraft--identified as belonging to the Lakenheath squadron--was completely destroyed upon impact. Due to the severity of the crash and the disintegration of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown.

Earlier the same day, the IRGC reported targeting another advanced U.S. fighter jet south of Qeshm Island. The aircraft was struck by air defense systems operated by the IRGC Navy and subsequently crashed between Hengam and Qeshm islands, plunging into the waters of the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC framed these incidents as a direct rebuttal to recent statements from Washington. In its statement, it criticized President Trump's earlier assertion that U.S. forces had neutralized Iran's air defense capabilities, calling the claim false. It emphasized that the successful interception of the aircraft demonstrated the effectiveness of Iran's integrated and modern air defense network.

These reported incidents add to what Iran describes as a growing list of significant U.S. aviation losses. On March 11, the IRGC claimed it had also struck a U.S. Air Force F-35 operating in central Iranian airspace. While U.S. media later reported that an F-35 made an emergency landing at a regional U.S. airbase--allegedly due to possible Iranian fire--subsequent reporting by NPR suggested that the aircraft sustained severe damage and would likely be unable to return to service.

Additionally, Iran claims that the U.S. military has lost three F-15 fighter jets and one KC-135 tanker during the ongoing conflict. It further alleges that the Pentagon has attempted to downplay or conceal these losses by attributing them to "friendly fire" incidents or accidents.

In a related development, the U.S. military recently reported the crash of an F-35 in Nevada. However, some military analysts have questioned this explanation, suggesting it may have been presented as a cover for combat-related losses elsewhere.

Meanwhile reports from Washington said United States has dismissed Army Chief of Staff General Randy A George amid the US and Israel's war on Iran. Pete Hegseth, the United States defence secretary, has asked  Randy to step down with immediate effect.

A US army watchdog, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), said in March it received emailed complaints that US service members were told by senior commanders the war with Iran is meant to "cause Armageddon", or the biblical "end times".