Iran claims second US F-35 downed in two weeks, says pilot survival 'unlikely'

Iran on Friday claimed that a second US F-35 fighter jet had been shot down over central Iran, according to a Reuters report citing Iran’s Mehr news agency. The report added that the pilot’s survival was unlikely. There has been no immediate confirmation from US authorities.The claim comes two weeks after a US F-35 stealth fighter was hit during a combat mission over Iran, forcing an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East. At the time, American officials said the pilot had survived and was in stable condition. Iran had earlier said it struck the aircraft using its air defence systems, potentially marking the first time it had hit one of the United States’ most advanced jets during the ongoing conflict. The F-35 Lightning II is considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in service and a key part of US and allied air power. Costing over $100 million per unit, it is operated or ordered by more than 19 countries and is among the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighters in the world.A key feature of the aircraft is its stealth design, which allows it to avoid radar detection through its shape, materials and internal weapons systems. This enables it to operate deep inside heavily defended areas, making it difficult for enemy air defences to track or target.