[Has Iran Shot Down Another F-35?]
Iran announced that it has shot down another U.S. "Lightning" fighter jet, even releasing photos of the wreckage from the crash. Previously, the "myth" surrounding the Lightning fighter was shattered during this military operation against Iran, as Iran successfully locked onto and targeted one Lightning aircraft. According to initial U.S. statements, that Lightning aircraft had managed to land safely at a Middle Eastern military base after being attacked. Now, Iran directly released images of the Lightning's wreckage—could it have actually crashed directly onto Iranian soil?
Iran's state media also pointed out on social media: the tail section of the downed aircraft bears a distinctive letter marking (LN), indicating that the aircraft was deployed from a British base rather than being part of the U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East.
However, "open-source intelligence" on social media stated: after careful analysis of the photos of the wreckage released by Iran, it appears the aircraft is not a Lightning but more likely an F-15E "Strike Eagle." They specifically compared the photos with those of U.S. Strike Eagle squadrons stationed in Britain, finding that both the red paint scheme and the protruding structure on the vertical tail closely match. However, due to difficulties in further comparing the wreckage dimensions with the rocky background, no definitive conclusion can be drawn.
Furthermore, open-source intelligence noted that earlier, the Revolutionary Guard had released footage showing their interception of a Strike Eagle aircraft, which occurred above Qeshm Island in southern Iran. It remains unclear whether this intercepted aircraft is the same one whose wreckage lies on the ground. Regardless, this represents a significant loss of aerial assets for the U.S. military.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861440800115719/
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