Italian
The Iranian authorities have stated that a second U.S. stealth fighter F-35 Lightning II has been shot down in the skies over central Iran, amid a backdrop of increasing military escalation in the region. The news, reported by Reuters, has not yet received independent confirmation or official comments from the United States
TEHRAN. According to a spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters, the aircraft was reportedly hit by the air defense systems of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian authorities added that the chances of the pilot’s survival are “extremely low,” without providing further operational details or evidence to support the claim.
The episode follows a previous incident that occurred in recent weeks, when the Pentagon confirmed that another F-35 Lightning II was forced to make an emergency landing after a mission over Iran. On that occasion, the pilot survived and was in stable condition. The alleged downing of a second aircraft, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in the military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
At the same time, Iran is said to have intensified its military operations in the region. On the same day, missile launches towards Israel and Bahrain were reported, along with a drone attack that allegedly caused a fire at a refinery in Kuwait. These actions seem to indicate a coordinated strategy aimed at hitting multiple targets in the Gulf and the Levant.
The United Arab Emirates are also indirectly involved. Authorities in Abu Dhabi reported two distinct incidents of debris falling, attributed to the interception of aerial threats by defense systems. The first incident involved the Habshan gas facility, where a fire broke out, leading to a temporary suspension of operations. A second incident was recorded in the Ajban area. In both cases, no injuries were reported.
The absence of independent confirmations regarding the downing of the U.S. fighter jet keeps the level of uncertainty high. However, the simultaneity of the events and the geographical extent of the attacks contribute to outlining a scenario of increasing instability. International analysts warn that further incidents could trigger a spiral of retaliations that would be difficult to contain, with potential consequences for regional security and global balances, particularly in the energy sector.
The international community is awaiting an official position from Washington, while diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation.
Photo: By MSgt John Nimmo Sr. – http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imageRetrieve.action?guid=aead43b6dbfdf26e4d84c1fa688135254e721a32&t=2, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26519810
