Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed early Friday that it downed a second U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet over central parts of the country, marking a purported escalation in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The IRGC asserted the aircraft belonged to the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in Britain and was destroyed by a new indigenous air defense system, with the pilot's survival deemed unlikely.

State media outlet Tasnim News Agency released photos of wreckage, including debris with an "LN" tail code and red coloring, which the IRGC said proved the jet's destruction. However, open-source analysts quickly identified the fragments as coming from an F-15E Strike Eagle, specifically from the 494th Fighter Squadron based at Lakenheath, based on the vertical stabilizer markings and paint scheme inconsistent with F-35 characteristics. The Pentagon has not confirmed the claim and has remained silent on the alleged incident as of early Friday morning.

This follows a similar assertion two weeks ago, when Iran claimed to have struck an F-35 during a U.S. combat mission over the country. U.S. officials acknowledged that the jet sustained damage from suspected Iranian ground fire and made an emergency landing at a base in the Middle East, with the pilot suffering shrapnel wounds but surviving. Iran released footage purporting to show the engagement, though U.S. Central Command described the March 19 event as under investigation without confirming a shootdown.

The claims come amid intensified hostilities that began in late February, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iranian targets following Tehran's missile and drone attacks on Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American assets. Iranian authorities report over 1,340 deaths from the air campaign. In retaliation, Iran has targeted oil facilities and infrastructure, including Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery and strikes on Tel Aviv.

President Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric, threatening strikes on Iranian power plants and infrastructure unless Tehran halts aggression, while reinforcing U.S. forces in the region. Oil prices have surged due to fears over the Strait of Hormuz, through which Iran threatens disruptions. U.S. Central Command previously confirmed losses of F-15E jets in a separate friendly fire incident over Kuwait in early March.

Experts view Iran's latest propaganda as an attempt to boost domestic morale and deter further U.S. operations, given the history of exaggerated claims about advanced Western aircraft. No independent verification of an F-35 loss exists, and the misidentified debris undermines the narrative. As tensions mount, the U.S. continues air operations to support allies and degrade Iranian capabilities.