Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed they shot down 3 F35 and other planes

AMMAN / TEHRAN — Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a multi-wave ballistic missile and drone attack targeting the Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed they shot down 3 F35 and other planes.

CENTCOM Denies Reports of F-35 Losses and Blockade Breach. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied reports from Iranian state media claiming that Iranian forces shot down three U.S. F-35 fighter jets and three additional military aircraft.

CENTCOM stated that no U.S. aircraft have been damaged or destroyed during ongoing operations. The command also rejected claims that the commercial tanker M/T Nora successfully breached the U.S. naval blockade, saying the reports are false.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, following weeks of heavy, direct military exchanges.

No official confirmation exists that Iran has shot down an F-35 fighter jet, despite multiple high-profile claims by Iranian state media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). While the United States military explicitly denied that any F-35s have been destroyed, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) previously confirmed that a U.S. Air Force F-35A was struck by hostile fire during a combat mission over central Iran, but it managed to safely make an emergency landing

Tehran Claims Direct Hits

State broadcaster IRIB reported that the IRGC Aerospace Force launched liquid- and solid-fuel ballistic missiles alongside kamikaze drones at the strategic military installation.

Iranian officials claim the strikes successfully bypassed air defenses to destroy U.S. command-and-control infrastructure, aircraft hangars, and grounded MQ-9 Reaper drones. Tehran described the operation as a direct response to recent U.S. airstrikes on IRGC facilities.

U.S. and Jordan Report Interceptions

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Jordanian military officials have disputed Iran's account of the damage. According to coalition reports:

• Successful Interceptions: Combined U.S. regional air defenses and Jordanian fighter jets intercepted the majority of the incoming projectiles before they could reach their targets.
• Minimal Damage: U.S. defense officials stated that the air base remains fully operational, reporting no American casualties and only minor surface damage.
• Sovereignty Violations: The Jordanian government strongly condemned the breach of its airspace, confirming that its military actively engaged and shot down multiple Iranian missiles for a consecutive night to protect its borders.

Cycle of Retaliation

The strike on Al-Azraq follows a series of high-intensity, reciprocal attacks. Days earlier, the U.S. military launched massive retaliatory airstrikes hitting dozens of IRGC command centers, intelligence hubs, and missile storage sites inside Iran.

Regional security analysts warn that the direct targeting of installations in neighboring countries like Jordan threatens to pull broader international partners into a wider regional war. Coalition forces across the Middle East remain on high alert for subsequent launch waves.