A U.S. F-35 fighter jet conducting a combat mission over Iran made an emergency
landing at a Middle East base after being struck by suspected Iranian fire, U.S.
Central Command said. Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the aircraft landed safely and
the pilot is stable. The incident, under investigation, marks the first reported
hit on a U.S. aircraft in the conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated
the U.S. is “winning decisively” and Iran’s air defenses have been “flattened.”
