Iran has claimed that its air defense missile successfully shot down a U.S. F-15 fighter jet near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to statements from Iran’s Army Public Relations Office and semi-official media (including reports shared by Iran’s Consulate General in Mumbai), the F-15 was detected, tracked, and engaged with a surface-to-air missile after violating Iranian airspace or approaching sensitive areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
The command described the action as a response to “enemy” incursions, with investigations underway to confirm the jet’s fate and any debris.
Video footage circulated on Iranian-linked channels purportedly shows the interception, though authenticity remains unverified.
This claim comes as the U.S.-led Operation Epic Fury continues heavy airstrikes on Iranian military sites, naval assets, and infrastructure along the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and officials like Adm. Brad Cooper have repeatedly stated that strikes have “degraded” Iran’s coastal missile threats, with recent bombings targeting underground facilities storing cruise missiles and other weaponry. No U.S. losses in this specific incident have been acknowledged.
The U.S. military has consistently denied similar Iranian shootdown claims. Earlier, for instance, Iranians claimed shooting down multiple F-15 jets over Kuwait; however, CENTCOM attributed the incidents to friendly fire, rejecting any shootdown claims.
Earlier, as EurAsian Times reported, a US F-35 aircraft made an emergency landing at a US air base after it was struck by possible Iranian fire.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said the fifth-generation stealth jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced to make an emergency landing. Hawkins said the aircraft landed safely and the incident is under investigation.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,” Hawkins added. “This incident is under investigation.”
Earlier, three Turkish nationals, including a serviceman, were on board a helicopter that crashed in Qatar’s territorial waters, alongside three Qatari servicemen, the Gulf country’s defence ministry said on Sunday.
The Turkish defence ministry, meanwhile, said that “a Qatari armed forces helicopter, which was carrying out a training exercise as part of the Qatar-Turkey Joint Forces Command, crashed into the sea”.
“A member of the Turkish armed forces and two Aselsan technicians” were killed in the crash, the ministry said, referring to the Turkish defence giant.
Five passengers and a pilot were killed, Qatari authorities said, while a second pilot has been reported missing. The Qatari defence ministry had earlier said that the helicopter crashed due to a “technical malfunction” during a routine flight.
By: ET Online Desk with Agence France-Presse Inputs
