Iran says it intercepted, struck F-15 jet near Hormuz island; US rejects claim

By Admin

23 Mar, 2026

Rising tensions in West Asia have intensified after Iran claimed it intercepted and targeted a United States F-15 fighter jet near the strategic Hormuz Island. The United States has firmly denied the allegation, calling it a rumour and insisting that no American aircraft has been shot down. The conflicting claims come amid the ongoing US-Iran-Israel conflict, which has already disrupted global trade routes and heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Iran Claims Airspace Violation and Missile Strike

Iran stated that the incident occurred over its southern coastal region near Hormuz Island. According to a post shared by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai on social media platform X, an “enemy F-15 fighter jet” allegedly entered Iranian airspace. Iranian air defence systems reportedly responded quickly, intercepting and striking the aircraft using a surface-to-air missile deployed by the country’s Army air defence units.

Iran further claimed that the aircraft was targeted after violating its airspace. However, no additional information was provided regarding possible damage to the jet, casualties, or the aircraft’s status following the alleged strike. The lack of independent verification has added to uncertainty around the claim.

US Denies Aircraft Was Hit

The United States rejected Iran’s statement, describing it as a rumour. In a post on X, US Central Command said that American forces have conducted more than 8,000 combat flights during Operation Epic Fury and emphasized that no US fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran. The statement aimed to counter the narrative and reassure that US air operations remain intact despite escalating hostilities.

Earlier F-35 Incident Raises Questions

The latest claim follows reports that a US F-35 fighter jet was attacked during an Iranian strike earlier in the conflict, forcing it to make an emergency landing at a military base in the Middle East. That incident marked the first known instance of Iran hitting one of the US military’s most advanced stealth aircraft.

The F-35 was reportedly flying over central Iran when it was struck, contradicting earlier confidence within US security circles that Iranian air defences had been significantly weakened. Just hours before the strike, former US President Donald Trump reportedly stated, “We’re flying wherever we want. Nobody is even shooting at us,” highlighting the surprise surrounding the incident.

Conflict Disrupts Strait of Hormuz Trade Routes

The broader West Asia conflict has now entered its fourth week, with serious implications for global energy supply and maritime trade. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, has experienced disruptions as tensions escalate. The conflict intensified after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aged 86, in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28.

Missile Launch Toward Diego Garcia Signals Escalation

In another significant development, Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles aimed at the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Although neither missile struck the base, the launch demonstrated Tehran’s expanding operational reach. The distance to Diego Garcia approximately 4,000 kilometres from Iran has drawn attention because it is roughly double the publicly acknowledged range of Iran’s ballistic missiles.

Growing Uncertainty Amid Conflicting Claims

With Iran claiming it struck a US F-15 and the United States denying the incident, the situation remains unclear. The competing narratives highlight the fog of war surrounding the ongoing conflict and the potential for misinformation. As tensions continue to rise, any confirmed military engagement near the Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability, global trade, and energy markets.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the alleged interception was a real engagement or part of the information battle accompanying the broader geopolitical confrontation.