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TEHRAN / WASHINGTON — An Iranian military spokesperson declared on Friday, March 27, 2026, that the Islamic Republic has shattered the “myth of invincibility” surrounding the U.S. F-35 Lightning II, asserting that the stealth fighter can no longer “guarantee global security.” The statement follows a confirmed incident on March 19 in which a U.S. F-35 was forced to make an emergency landing after being struck by what Western intelligence describes as “suspected Iranian fire” during a combat mission over central Iran.
The Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, echoed this sentiment, describing the strike as the “moment of collapse of an order” and characterizing the F-35 as a “statue of U.S. military arrogance.”
The “Invisible” Hit: How It Happened
While the U.S. Pentagon maintains that the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition, the IRGC has leveraged the incident as a major propaganda and tactical victory.
- Passive Tracking: Military analysts suggest Iran utilized passive electro-optical and infrared (IR) tracking systems rather than traditional radar. These systems detect the heat signature of the engine and airframe friction, bypassing the stealth features designed to evade radar.
- The “Hand of God” Narrative: Iranian state media released footage purportedly showing the moment of impact. Ghalibaf stated, “The F-35 was a theological symbol claimed to be invisible… but the hand of God is above their hands.”
- First in History: Tehran is claiming this as the first time an F-35 has been successfully engaged and damaged by enemy fire in a combat theater, challenging the core doctrine of Western air superiority.
CENTCOM and Pentagon Response
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the emergency landing but has been cautious about the details.
- “Emergency Landing”: CENTCOM acknowledged the jet was on a “combat mission over Iran” when the incident occurred. The pilot reportedly suffered minor shrapnel wounds but is stable.
- Investigation Pending: While U.S. officials speaking to CNN and AFP admit it appears the aircraft was “hit by Iran,” they have not officially confirmed if it was a missile strike or anti-aircraft fire.
- Operational Resilience: Retired U.S. Air Force officials argue that the fact the plane survived and returned to base demonstrates the survivability of the platform, rather than its failure.
Strategic Implications for Global Defense
The claim that the F-35 “no longer guarantees security” has sent ripples through the 19 nations currently operating or awaiting delivery of the aircraft.
| Stakeholder | Concern / Reaction |
| U.S. Allies | NATO and Asian partners (Japan, S. Korea) are closely monitoring the “infrared vulnerability” reports. |
| Defense Industry | May lead to a shift in investment toward stand-off weapons and electronic warfare to protect stealth assets. |
| Russia & China | Viewing the incident as a “practical case study” in countering the backbone of Western air power. |
| Israel (IDF) | Continuing to use the F-35 for strikes in western Iran, claiming it still maintains “aerial superiority.” |
What’s Next?
As the 10-day negotiation window announced by President Trump begins, the status of the F-35 will likely be a psychological factor in the talks. Iran is using the “hit” to bolster its domestic morale and project strength, while the U.S. must decide whether to adjust its rules of engagement for the anticipated April 6 deadline.
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