Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had "successfully targeted" an American F-18 fighter jet, even as reports suggest that back-door negotiations are going on to resolve the conflict between the two countries along with Israel.
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State television outlet Press TV shared what it claimed was video evidence supporting this assertion. "Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announces that it has successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet," Press TV said on X.
In the video shared by Press TV shows a fighter jet (believed to be F/A-18 Hornet) in flight. A sudden flash occurs close to the aircraft, hinting at a possible hit, following which, the jet appears to lose control. A few moments later, an object appears to detach from the aircraft, which suggests a pilot ejecting.
The Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai also shared this video on X, asserting that the Iranian air defence system had successfully struck a US fighter jet.
The authenticity of this video has not been independently verified by THE WEEK.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announces that it has successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet.
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 25, 2026
Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkc2J pic.twitter.com/E9nRJgnla3
However, the United States Central Command has officially refuted the IRGC's claim, saying in a post on X that no fighter jet was shot down by Iran.
🚫FALSE: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a U.S. F/A-18 fighter was struck over Chabahar using new advanced air defense systems.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 25, 2026
✅TRUE: No U.S. fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran. pic.twitter.com/I25QFjYo0l
On March 5, the IRGC had announced that its air defence units had struck down a US F-15 Strike Eagle near Iran's southeastern border. Iranian state media had circulated reports and footage as evidence. However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) refuted these assertions, describing them as "baseless".
On March 19, the IRGC again claimed its air defence system had engaged with a US F-35 stealth fighter over central Iran and caused it significant damage, and even suggested it crashed. But, CNN reports indicated that the F-35 managed to make an emergency landing.
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Yesterday’s exchange occurred just hours after Iran rejected a US proposal aimed at ending the current conflict, issuing its own counterproposal instead. Two Pakistan officials described the 15-point US proposal, saying it addressed sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran's nuclear programme, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran issued its own plan via state TV, which includes a halt to killings of its officials, means to make sure no other war is waged against it, reparations for the war, the end of hostilities and Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
"No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any negotiations," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later told state TV.
The toll from the war has risen to more than 1,500 people in Iran, nearly 1,100 people in Lebanon, 16 in Israel and 13 US military members, as well as a number of civilians on land and sea in the Gulf region.
