A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing at a military base in the Middle East after sustaining damage during a combat mission over Iran, according to US officials and sources familiar with the incident.

A spokesperson for US Central Command said the aircraft was operating over Iranian territory when it was forced to land. The pilot is reported to be in stable condition, while the cause of the damage remains under investigation. Officials have not confirmed whether the aircraft was directly hit by hostile fire.

The incident comes amid ongoing hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran, now entering its third week. Iranian state-linked sources have claimed the jet was struck by the Majid air defense system, though this has not been independently verified.

If confirmed, it would mark the first known instance of an F-35 sustaining damage from enemy fire in active combat. The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation stealth aircraft valued at over $100 million and is considered one of the most advanced jets in service.

Earlier losses and ongoing operations

The United States has reported other aircraft losses during the conflict, though none previously linked to enemy fire. Three F-15 fighter jets were earlier downed by Kuwaiti air defenses in what officials described as a friendly fire incident, with all crew members ejecting safely.

Separately, a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq last week. The US military said the crash was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and all six crew members on board were killed.

Also Read: US loses nearly $2 billion worth of military equipment in first four days of Iran conflict

US officials continue to state that their campaign against Iran is progressing as planned. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said recently that Iranian air defense systems have been significantly degraded, while additional US forces, including a Marine Expeditionary Unit and the USS Tripoli, are being positioned in the region.

The reported F-35 incident highlights the risks facing advanced aircraft operating in contested airspace and raises questions about the evolving capabilities of regional air defense systems.