Iran has claimed a historic first — striking a US F-35 stealth fighter jet during an active combat mission, a move that could reshape the narrative around air dominance in the ongoing conflict. A video circulating online appears to show the moment the jet was hit mid-air, with visible smoke and the aircraft veering off course. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says the strike happened over central Iranian airspace using advanced air defence systems. The United States has confirmed that an F-35 was forced to make an emergency landing after encountering a missile barrage, though officials have not confirmed a direct hit.

The United States is reportedly turning to Ukraine for help as Iran unleashes waves of Shahed attack drones across the Middle East. Washington is seeking Kyiv’s battlefield experience after Ukraine spent years defending against thousands of the same Iranian-made drones launched by Russia during the war.