IRGC claims it targeted US F-18 fighter jet — Press TV releases video as proof; no US confirmation

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on March 25 that it had successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet, releasing a video via the Press TV state media Twitter account as purported proof. The IRGC statement said: 'The Iranian Navy's IRGC announces that it has successfully targeted an American F-18 fighter jet.' No independent confirmation of the incident has emerged. The United States has not acknowledged any F-18 loss or damage. IRGC claims frequently exaggerate or fabricate military successes for domestic and psychological warfare purposes — standard doctrine requires verifying such claims against US or independent sources before treating them as confirmed. F/A-18E/F Super Hornets are the primary strike aircraft of Carrier Air Wing Seven, embarked on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), which Iran targeted with 101 Qader anti-ship cruise missiles and drones on Day 25. The carrier repositioned following that attack. If confirmed, an F-18 loss would be the first US combat aircraft shot down in Operation Epic Fury — a significant escalation marker. Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters issued an accompanying rhetorical warning: 'You will settle the outcome of the war among yourselves, and you will also bring yourselves to the negotiating table. Even your politicians have suffered a mild concussion.' The concussion reference appears to be a mocking allusion to US political divisions (Senate 47-53 war powers vote failure) rather than a physical event.