Iranian-linked sources have circulated claims that the Fath-360 missile destroyed 40 F-35 fighter jets in a single rapid strike. However, there is no credible evidence from international media, military reports, or independent analysts to support this ᴀssertion.

The Fath-360 is a short-range tactical ballistic missile with an estimated range of around 180 km and conventional high-explosive warhead capabilities. While it is designed for precision strikes against ground targets, there is no verified capability or precedent suggesting it can simultaneously eliminate dozens of advanced stealth aircraft, especially in the air.

Fact-checking investigations into similar viral claims have consistently found them to be false or unverified. In one widely circulated case, reports that Iran had destroyed large numbers of F-35 jets were debunked due to the absence of confirmation from any credible global source.

Even in real incidents during the current conflict, the scale is far more limited. There has been only a single confirmed case of a U.S. F-35 being damaged, forcing an emergency landing, with the pilot surviving. Claims of shootdowns are often disputed, exaggerated, or later corrected — for example, Iran initially claimed to have downed an F-35, but evidence later showed a different aircraft was involved.

Defense experts note that destroying 40 F-35s in such a short time would require:

Detection of multiple stealth aircraft simultaneously
Perfect targeting coordination
Overwhelming missile saturation beyond current known capabilities
No such event has been observed or confirmed.

In modern conflicts, information warfare plays a major role alongside military operations. Large-scale claims like this often emerge as psychological or propaganda narratives, especially during periods of heightened tension.

Bottom line:
There is no verified evidence that Iran destroyed 40 F-35 jets, and current data strongly suggests the claim is exaggerated or false.