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Iran photos of downed F-35 but images show F-15E wreckage

On a US Air Force (USAF) F-35 Lightning II fighter jet flying over central Iran was claimed as shot down by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). IRGC said it used a new air defense system.

The IRGC’s central command headquarters said the aircraft “was hit by the new air defense system of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ aerospace force” and crashed in central Iran. “Due to the severe explosion of the fighter jet upon impact and crash, it is unlikely that the pilot has escaped.”

Images showing the wreckage were published by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency and shared by @Osittechinal on X.

As shown by the pictures in this post the wreckage identified the aircraft as belonging to the 494th Fighter Squadron of the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath, UK.

However, the paint scheme on the wreckage does not appear consistent with what of an F-35A, but with that of an F-15E Strike Eagle, as the red coloring visible on the wreckage aligns with tail markings on F-15s from the same squadron.

The definitive identification is made difficult by the size of the debris relative to the surrounding terrain.

The Pentagon has not made any statement regarding the IRGC’s claim, but US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Social Media;

‘CLAIM: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it downed an “enemy” fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘FACT: All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran’s IRGC has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times.’

US air assets lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury

If this F-15E loss is confirmed it would follow, a USAF E-3G was destroyed on Mar. 27, 2026 along with multiple United States service members wounded and multiple KC-135 Stratotankers damaged during the Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base.

On Mar. 23 a USAF F-35A pilot was wounded by shrapnel after his Lightning II was hit over. Other US air assets damaged or lost during Operation Epic Fury, are 5 KC-135s damaged in Iranian Attack on a Saudi Air Base on Mar. 13, one KC-135 lost in Iraq and one damaged that safely landed in Israel on Mar. 12 and three  F-15E Strike Eagles shot down by friendly fire of a Kuwaiti F/A-18 on Mar. 2. Several MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost during Operation Epic Fury too.

Strike Eagle

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night and in all weather.

The aircraft uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. Previous models of the F-15 are assigned air-to-air roles; the “E” model is a dual-role fighter. It has the capability to fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out.

For air-to-ground missions, the F-15E can carry most weapons in the Air Force inventory. It also can be armed with AIM-9M Sidewinders or AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles, or AMRAAM for the air-to-air role. The “E” model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun that can carry up to 500 rounds.

Photo credit: SSgt Thomas Trower / U.S. Air Force