Combat missions against Iran are the most challenging that an F-35 has flown, showcasing the jet's capabilities, an airpower expert said.

An Iranian official claimed Wednesday that an Israeli F-35 fighter jet had been shot down near Tehran, while authorities also said they had destroyed 14 drones allegedly used by Israeli agents in operations across multiple provinces.

The U.S. military is deploying more fighter aircraft to the Middle East and extending the deployment of other warplanes, bolstering U.S. military forces in the region as the war between Israel and Iran rages,