Iran Claims Strike on US F-18, America Denies Incident

Amid rising tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israeli forces, Iran has claimed that it successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet. The claim was accompanied by a video released by Iranian state media, allegedly showing the aircraft being struck mid-air.

Iran’s state broadcaster shared the footage on social media, stating that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out the strike. The video appears to show a fighter jet in flight before a sudden flash hits it, after which the aircraft seems to lose stability and trail smoke, indicating possible damage.

However, Iran did not provide specific details regarding the location of the incident, the extent of the damage, or the status of the pilot. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.

US Denies Iran’s Claim

The United States has firmly rejected Iran’s assertion. US Central Command (CENTCOM) labeled the claim as false, stating that no American fighter aircraft has been shot down by Iran.

In an official statement, CENTCOM clarified that reports of an F/A-18 being struck are incorrect and emphasized that US air operations in the region continue without such losses.

Repeated Claims and Denials

This is not the first time Iran has made such claims. In recent days, Iranian media reported shooting down US F-15 fighter jets on two separate occasions. These claims were also dismissed by CENTCOM, which noted that over 8,000 combat sorties have been conducted under Operation Epic Fury without any aircraft losses due to Iranian action.

Iran has also previously claimed to have damaged a US F-35 stealth fighter. While US officials confirmed that an F-35 made an emergency landing during a mission, they did not attribute the incident directly to Iranian fire.

Background: Ongoing Conflict

The developments come amid the ongoing US-led military campaign, Operation Epic Fury, launched in coordination with Israeli forces on February 28. The operation aims to weaken Iran’s missile systems, naval capabilities, proxy groups, and nuclear infrastructure.

Despite growing military escalation, diplomatic efforts are still underway. The US administration has proposed a truce, which Iran has reportedly rejected. However, the White House has confirmed that talks between the two sides are continuing.

US officials have reiterated that while negotiations remain active, stronger action could follow if no agreement is reached.