Was a US F18 Downed Over Iran? CENTCOM Fact Checks It as Millions Watch the Clip

The internet erupted after dramatic footage, purportedly showing a United States military aircraft being blasted out of the sky, went viral. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps quickly claimed responsibility for the alleged strike over Chabahar, asserting they had neutralised an American F/A-18 fighter jet and fuelling a wave of speculation and alarm online.

However, military officials in Washington firmly dismissed the narrative as a digital fabrication. The US Central Command issued a definitive fact-check on 25 March to counter spreading rumours regarding their combat fleet.

CENTCOM Debunks 'Shot-Down' F/A-18 Over Chabahar

The clarification arrives as the US and Israel navigate an intense, ongoing war with Iran. The geopolitical landscape was recently upended following joint airstrikes that eliminated Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Taking to X, the military command addressed the situation directly. CENTCOM wrote, 'No U.S. fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran.'

The IRGC originally claimed the aircraft was targeted using 'new advanced air defense systems'. Despite the official denial, the viral footage continued to gain traction online.

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Russian state-backed media network RT amplified the unverified claims by posting a copy of the explosive footage. Their broadcast featured the caption, 'US F-18 JET HIT BY AIR DEFENSES OVER IRAN — IRGC.'

CENTCOM's denial immediately drew sceptical responses from international observers. Many internet users questioned how the detailed footage could be faked.

One vocal commenter remarked, 'Literally a video of US fighter aircraft being shot down over Iran.' Another user shared a modified clip, noting, 'Slow Motion.. Direct Impact Can Be Seen.'

The confusion led another baffled individual to ask, 'So...what's the video that we all saw of?.' This incident follows a previous claim from Tehran regarding a downed American F-35 jet.

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While authorities never confirmed a direct Iranian hit on the aforementioned F-35, they acknowledged the stealth aircraft made an emergency landing. Losing such hardware is significant, as a single modern fighter jet can cost approximately £62,000,000 ($80,000,000).

These developments have sparked a wave of political backlash at home for President Donald Trump. He faces mounting criticism for leading the nation into direct combat, seemingly contradicting his promises of fewer foreign wars.

Republican Representative Nancy Mace expressed serious reservations about the strategy. She stated on X, 'The justifications presented to the American public for the war in Iran were not the same military objectives we were briefed on today in the House Armed Services Committee. This gap is deeply troubling. The longer this war continues, the faster it will lose the support of Congress and the American people.'

Iran Rejects Pause As Washington Insists Talks Are 'Productive'

Diplomatic efforts appear entirely stalled, as Iran dismissed a US proposal to pause the conflict on 25 March. This rejection coincides with the Pentagon deploying additional paratroopers and Marines to the region.

An official from the Iranian regime, quoted by Press TV, declared their uncompromising stance. They stated, 'Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met.'

Conversely, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained that the two nations are engaged in negotiations. Iranian officials have denied that any such diplomatic communicationsare taking place.

When pressed by reporters about the conflicting narratives, Leavitt remained resolute. She insisted, 'Talks continue. They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be.'