CENTCOM denies Iranian claims of downing US F-15 fighter jet

US Central Command issued a firm denial Wednesday of Iranian claims that Tehran's forces had successfully downed an American F-15 fighter jet. In a statement on the social media platform X, CENTCOM declared "No U.S. fighter aircraft have been shot down by Iran," directly contradicting assertions emanating from Iranian sources.

Air superiority asserted

The command further asserted that American forces "continue to exercise air superiority over vast swaths of Iran," emphasizing the continued effectiveness of US air power despite 12 days of intensive combat operations. The statement suggests that despite Iranian retaliatory strikes and air defense efforts, the US military maintains the ability to operate freely in Iranian airspace.

Conflict continues to escalate

The competing claims come as the US-Israeli joint attack on Iran, launched Feb. 28, has killed more than 1,300 people including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, expanding the conflict's geographic scope. With both sides engaged in active combat operations and information warfare, verifying battlefield claims has become increasingly difficult as the war enters its third week with no end in sight.