The United States has dismissed claims by Iranian media that its fighter jet was shot down near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, asserting that no such incident has occurred and all American aircraft in the region remain operational. The rebuttal comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and conflicting narratives emerging from both sides.

Iranian state-affiliated outlets, including the Tehran Times, reported that Iranian air defence systems successfully intercepted and downed a US F-15 fighter jet near the country’s southern coastline. The report described the alleged incident as a successful engagement against what it termed a hostile intrusion into Iranian airspace, further claiming that the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed the interception, though their authenticity has not been independently verified. The claims gained traction amid ongoing military operations involving Iranian forces and what Tehran has described as joint US-Israeli activities in the region, contributing to a surge in information warfare and competing narratives.

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In response, the US Central Command categorically rejected the reports, stating that no American fighter jets have been shot down by Iran. The command emphasised that US forces have conducted more than 8,000 combat sorties under Operation Epic Fury without losing any aircraft, calling the Iranian claims false and misleading.

However, US officials acknowledged a separate incident involving a F-35 fighter jet, which was forced to make an emergency landing at a military base in the Middle East after sustaining damage during a mission over Iranian airspace. Iranian authorities, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed responsibility, stating the aircraft had been struck and significantly damaged.

According to available reports, the pilot of the F-35 survived, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the damage and emergency landing. Iran has also claimed it intercepted and destroyed over 125 US-Israeli drones, highlighting what it described as advancements in its air defence capabilities, though these assertions remain unverified by independent sources.

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