Tensions in the Middle East have escalated sharply after Iran claimed its air defense units had successfully targeted and struck a US F-18 fighter jet; it subsequently released a video to substantiate its assertion. The US military categorically dismissed the claim as “false and unverified”.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announces that it has successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet.
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— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 25, 2026
IRGS says it downed a US F-18 fighter jet
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) made the claim on state-controlled media platforms, that it had “successfully targeted” one of the US military’s F-18 fighter jets using Iranian air defense systems. An accompanying video was also made available that allegedly shows the moment of the intended strike.
The video appears to depict a F-18 in flight before there is a bright flash from somewhere near the aircraft indicating possible impact. The video shows that the aircraft was no longer stable in the air and had left a trail in the sky. The video also depicts something separating from the aircraft where it may have been the pilot ejecting using a parachute; however, these images, as with the entire account of an F-18 being targeted by Iran, have not been verified by third parties.
US Denies Allegation
🚫FALSE: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a U.S. F/A-18 fighter was struck over Chabahar using new advanced air defense systems.
✅TRUE: No U.S. fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran. pic.twitter.com/I25QFjYo0l
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 25, 2026
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) swiftly dismissed the claim by the IRGC. CENTCOM issued a post on its social media page X stating firmly, “No US fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran.”
Iran made no mention of the location of any alleged attacks, the extent of damage done, or the status of the pilot involved. The lack of specificity has led to more skepticism about the credibility of their allegation.
No Clarity from Iran
Although this is not the first instance of such allegations made by Iran in the course of the current conflict, in March, Iran stated it had downed a US fighter aircraft, an F-15, close to their southern border. The US also disclaimed that allegation as false.
Another report indicated that Iran attacked a US F-35 fighter over central Iran, but subsequent reports indicated that the aircraft successfully landed, and US officials have apparently not indicated significant damage to the aircraft.
Khalid Qasid is a media enthusiast with a strong interest in documentary filmmaking. He holds a Master’s degree in Convergent Journalism from AJK MCRC. He has also written extensively on esports at Sportsdunia. Currently, he covers world and general news at NewsX Digital.
