A US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing at a US air base in the Middle East after being struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire, CNN reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

Iranian media claimed the IRGC was behind the hit shortly after.

According to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, the F-35 was "flying a combat mission over Iran" when it was struck and was forced to make an emergency landing.