Iran’s military has claimed that it intercepted and struck a US F-35 fighter jet during a strategic mission, forcing the aircraft to exit Iranian airspace and land at a military base in the Middle East after sustaining significant damage.
The development comes amid a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict following joint US Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28.
On Wednesday, Israel struck Iran’s South Pars offshore natural gas field in the Persian Gulf, the world’s largest gas field, jointly owned by Iran and Qatar.
In retaliation, Iran launched strikes that reportedly hit key energy infrastructure across the region. Qatar confirmed fires and extensive damage at its Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility after a missile strike early Thursday.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting Iranian drones targeting its gas facilities, while authorities in Abu Dhabi shut down the Habshan gas facility and Bab oil field following aerial threats.
Maritime security agencies reported multiple incidents at sea. A vessel was struck near Qatar’s coast, while another caught fire off the UAE coast near Khor Fakkan, close to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint handling nearly 20% of the world’s supply.
Over 20 vessels have reportedly been attacked since the conflict began, as Iran tightens control over maritime movement. While Tehran maintains the waterway remains open, it has effectively restricted access for US and allied vessels.
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