Iranian authorities claim to have shot down an American F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in central Iran, with the pilot suspected not to have survived. The news was reported by the semi-official Iranian agency Mehr News Agency. According to Iranian sources, the aircraft was hit during operations in the country's territory, but so far there has been no confirmation of this incident. Throughout the conflict, Iran has made several claims about shooting down American aircraft, but these statements have later been denied by the other side or have not been verified by international sources. The situation remains unclear, while tensions in the region continue to rise amid contradictory statements and a lack of official confirmations.