World

Iran claims strike on US F-35 as journalists injured in Lebanon escalation

Tensions in the Middle East escalated further after Iran claimed its air defense systems successfully struck a US F-35 stealth fighter jet, while separate Israeli strikes reportedly injured journalists in southern Lebanon.

According to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the advanced American aircraft was hit during a recent operation. A short video released by Iranian state media allegedly shows the moment the jet was targeted mid-air. However, independent verification of the footage remains unclear.

Meanwhile, US officials cited by international media acknowledged that an F-35 experienced an incident in the region. Reports indicate the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at a US military base. A spokesperson for US Central Command confirmed that the jet landed safely and that the pilot is in stable condition. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

In a separate development, two journalists working for RT — correspondent Steve Sweeney and cameraman Ali Rida — were wounded during an اسرائیלי strike in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred while the crew was reportedly covering ongoing military activity in the area.

Both journalists sustained injuries that were described as non-life-threatening. According to Ali Rida, the strike appeared to directly target their position despite them wearing clearly visible protective gear marked “press.” The claim has raised concerns among media organizations about the safety of journalists operating in active conflict zones.

The latest developments highlight the increasing volatility across the region, as military confrontations continue to spread beyond initial flashpoints. With multiple actors involved, the risk of further escalation remains high.