Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it successfully targeted an American F/A-18 fighter jet using what it described as an advanced air defence system, with a purported video
of the incident widely circulating on social media platforms.
However, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has rejected the Iranian assertion, describing the claim as misinformation.
According to the Iranian claim, the fighter aircraft was struck near Chabahar, a strategically significant coastal location along the Gulf of Oman.
The video released by the IRGC, now viral online, is being presented as evidence of the alleged strike, though independent verification of the footage has not yet emerged.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announces that it has successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet.
Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkc2J pic.twitter.com/E9nRJgnla3
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 25, 2026
The claim comes at a time of heightened military confrontation between Iran and US-aligned forces in West Asia, where aerial attacks, missile launches and drone strikes have intensified amid the widening regional conflict.
US CENTRAL COMMAND CALLS CLAIM “FALSE”
In a post on X, CENTCOM said, “FALSE: The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a U.S. F/A-18 fighter was struck over Chabahar using new advanced air defense systems.”
It added, “TRUE: No U.S. fighter aircraft have been 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.
✅TRUE: No U.S. fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran. pic.twitter.com/I25QFjYo0l
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 25, 2026
The US statement directly contradicts the IRGC’s claim and underscores the growing role of competing narratives and information warfare alongside ongoing military operations.
No additional operational details were immediately provided by the US military regarding the viral video cited by Iran.
DIPLOMATIC SIGNALS EMERGE AMID CONTINUING HOSTILITIES
The competing claims come as Iran reviews a US proposal aimed at ending the war in the Gulf.
However, Tehran has indicated it is not currently prepared for direct negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that indirect exchanges through mediators should not be interpreted as formal talks with Washington.
“The exchange of messages through mediators does not mean negotiations with the US,” Araqchi said on state television.
He added that proposals conveyed through intermediaries had been passed on to Iran’s senior leadership and that an official position could be announced if required.
Reuters reported that Iran has also conveyed to mediators that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire arrangement involving the United States and Israel, citing six regional sources familiar with Tehran’s stance.
TRUMP SAYS IRAN “WANTS TO MAKE A DEAL”
US President Donald Trump said Iranian leaders are interested in reaching an agreement but face internal political pressures.
Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Trump said Iranian leaders “are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they will be killed by their own people.”
According to Reuters, the US proposal conveyed through Pakistan includes provisions requiring Iran to eliminate stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, halt enrichment activity, restrict its ballistic missile programme and reduce support for regional allies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that the US could intensify military action if Iran does not accept Washington’s assessment of the battlefield situation.
“If they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” Leavitt said.
MILITARY OPERATIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE REGION
Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads US Central Command operations in the region, said the US had struck more than 10,000 targets inside Iran.
According to Cooper, 92 per cent of Iran’s largest naval vessels have been destroyed, while the rate of Iranian drone and missile launches has declined by more than 90 per cent.
Despite these claims, the conflict continues to escalate, with ongoing air strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and Iranian missile and drone attacks directed at Israel and US allies.
Iran has also warned it could expand the conflict to maritime chokepoints, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, while regional countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have reported intercepting drone attacks, Reuters said.
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