US denies that IRGC destroyed three F-35s, after Iran claims it killed US soldiers -report

On July 30, 2026, the United States denied allegations by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that its forces had destroyed three American F-35 fighter jets during an attack on Jordan's Al-Azraq Air Base. The IRGC made the claim in a message posted on Telegram, which also stated that three additional aircraft were damaged in the assault. In response, the U.S. Central Command issued a statement asserting that no American aircraft were destroyed or damaged in the attacks, noting that all missiles and drones launched by Iran were either intercepted or failed to reach their intended targets. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with both nations exchanging strikes over the past week. According to the IRGC, the attack on Al-Azraq Air Base was a retaliatory measure against U.S. strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island the previous evening. Iranian state television reported loud explosions and smoke rising from the area following the U.S. strikes, though no official confirmation of casualties among Iranian personnel was provided. In a separate development, Iranian state news agency Tasnim reported that three IRGC soldiers were killed in a U.S. missile attack in Zanjan province. The victims were identified as Mahmoud Mollajabari, Mohammadreza Cheraghi, and Jamal Amiri. These casualties reportedly resulted from a U.S. strike targeting Iranian military installations in the region. The U.S. military has not confirmed whether any of its service members were killed in the alleged Iranian attacks. However, the administration of then-President Donald Trump expressed readiness to retaliate against Iran. During a White House press conference on July 30, Trump warned that the U.S. would respond to Iranian actions "very hard," stating that "now it's our turn to hit them." He added that Iran had been attempting to provoke such a response, claiming that the country had already launched ballistic missiles toward U.S. military bases in the region. This escalation follows a pattern of increased hostilities between the two nations, with each side accusing the other of escalating tensions. The U.S. has previously conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Iraq, while Iran has responded with missile launches and cyberattacks. The current situation reflects a broader geopolitical struggle involving regional allies and global powers, with both sides seeking to assert dominance through military means. The ongoing conflict has drawn attention from international observers, who monitor the potential for further escalation. While the U.S. maintains that its forces remain unharmed, the IRGC's claims suggest a significant level of damage to U.S. military assets. As both sides continue to exchange threats and actions, the risk of direct confrontation appears to rise, with implications for regional stability and global security. The situation remains under active scrutiny, with further developments anticipated.