rki.news | Sources: Xinhua
A U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet reportedly transmitted an emergency “7700” distress code while flying over the Gulf of Oman on Sunday morning, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. The signal indicates an in-flight emergency requiring immediate attention.
The report said the aircraft then altered its course toward the United Arab Emirates and began descending. No official confirmation has been issued by U.S. authorities.
Earlier in the week, Tasnim reported that two other U.S. Air Force aircraft operating in the Gulf also transmitted emergency signals, including a KC-135R Stratotanker and a Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
Flight-tracking data cited by the agency said the KC-135 experienced an in-flight emergency near the Strait of Hormuz before briefly disappearing from radar. The KC-46 reportedly transmitted its signal while flying through Saudi airspace en route toward Tel Aviv.
The reports come amid increased monitoring of military aviation activity in the Gulf region, with no official technical details or confirmations released by military authorities.