As the Iran‑US‑Israel war intensifies, the United States military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) has firmly rejected claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it downed a US fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them “false” and stating that “all US fighter aircraft are accounted for.”

However, multiple independent and international reports confirm that at least one US fighter jet has been shot down over Iranian territory, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities. One American aircrew member has reportedly been rescued, while search and rescue operations continue for missing personnel.

The conflicting narratives reflect both military developments on the ground and an intensifying information battle between Tehran and Washington, underscoring broader strategic frictions amid a conflict now well into its fifth week.

Conflicting Claims on Downed Jet

Iran’s state media, citing official IRGC statements, asserted that Iranian air defence systems successfully shot down a US fighter jet in the waters south of Qeshm Island, a strategically vital area through which a large share of the world’s crude oil exports travel.

Videos and images circulated on Iranian channels showing aircraft wreckage, though such materials have not been independently verified. Tehran’s broadcasts also alluded to prior incidents in the broader conflict, emphasising its air defences remain capable despite sustained US and Israeli air campaigns.

In contrast,...

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