Tehran: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it shot down two U.S. fighter jets, including an F-18, within Iranian airspace.
According to reports carried by Russian media, the IRGC also released video footage allegedly showing the targeting of the U.S. aircraft. The claims have not yet been independently verified by U.S. officials.
This development follows earlier reports suggesting that an F-35 fighter jet was also hit in recent days. U.S. media had previously indicated that at least 16 American aircraft may have sustained damage during the ongoing conflict, though official confirmation remains limited.
Meanwhile, Iran has issued a warning about opening a new front in the strategically significant Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Iranian military sources indicated that continued attacks on Iranian territory could trigger escalation in the region.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, located near Yemen, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a critical global shipping route. Any disruption in this area could have serious implications for international trade and energy supplies.
The situation remains highly volatile, with rising tensions increasing the risk of broader regional escalation.
