US rejects Iran’s claim of shooting down fighter jet near Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command on Thursday rejected Iran's claim that it had shot down a US fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

"All U.S. fighter aircraft are accounted for. Iran's IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times," it said on US social media company X.

The denial came after the IRGC said it downed an "enemy" fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Tensions in the region have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, resulting in more than 1,340 deaths, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.

A total of 13 US service members have been killed and about 303 others have been injured since the operation began.