The United States and Iran remain in an active military conflict that has seen strikes and retaliation across the Middle East. Recently, there have been reports that a U.S. F‑35 fighter jet was hit by Iranian fire during a mission over Iran and was forced to make an emergency landing at a U.S. air base in the region, though the pilot landed safely and is in stable condition. This appears to be the first time Iranian forces have struck a U.S. combat aircraft in the ongoing conflict.
This incident is part of the broader 2026 Iran war, in which U.S. and allied forces have conducted multiple air operations targeting Iranian military infrastructure, and Iran has responded with missiles, drones, and other strikes against U.S.‑aligned forces in the region.