Middle East Conflict: Iran Targets US F-15 Fighter Jet Near Strait Of Hormuz; Tension For Donald Trump

Tehran: After targeting an American F-35 fighter jet, Iran launched an attack on yet another fighter jet on Sunday. Iran claims to have targeted an American F-15 fighter jet flying near the Strait of Hormuz. However, the extent of the damage sustained by the fighter jet is currently being assessed by the US military.

What has Iran said?

According to Iran's Joint Air Defense Headquarters, an enemy F-15 fighter jet was detected and tracked in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, near Iran's southern coast. Subsequently, the aircraft was targeted by a surface-to-air missile fired by the military's air defense systems.

In a video that has surfaced, a fighter jet can be seen being targeted. While Iran has claimed responsibility for this attack, there has been no confirmation from the United States. Recently, US President Donald Trump had issued a warning to Iran, demanding that it reopen the Strait of Hormuz within the next 48 hours; otherwise, the US threatened to destroy the country by attacking its power plants.

#BREAKING
An enemy's F-15 fighter jet was shot down by Iranian air defense systems near Hormuz Island after being intercepted over the country’s southern coast. pic.twitter.com/jmrFuUQKbd

— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) March 22, 2026

How was the US F-15 fighter jet shot down?

During a combat mission within Iranian airspace, a U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet was targeted by Iran, sustaining significant damage. The aircraft was forced to execute an emergency landing at a military base located in the Middle East. This incident marks a significant development in the ongoing regional conflict. Despite the severe in-flight incident, the military pilot successfully returned the damaged aircraft to base.

The pilot emerged from this perilous situation safely, and his condition remains stable following medical evaluation. The F-35 fighter jet is a fifth-generation 'Lightning II' stealth fighter, with each unit costing over $100 million. These jets are designed to evade radar detection and operate deep within heavily fortified enemy airspace.