TEHRAN- Iran has claimed that a US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet declared a mid-air emergency near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The aircraft reportedly transmitted emergency code 7700, an urgent distress signal, while flying over the Gulf of Oman.
According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the jet was heading toward United Arab Emirates airspace, with Abu Dhabi (AUH) as the apparent direction of travel, before its transponder went dark.
The incident, which Washington has not confirmed, comes amid escalating military tensions in the Gulf, with fresh drone attacks reported in Kuwait City (KWI) and waters near Doha (DOH).
US F-35 Jet Emergency Signal Reported
The Iranian Consulate General based in Hyderabad (HYD), India, made the announcement through a post on X.
The statement said, “A few minutes ago, a US Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet transmitted the emergency code 7700 while flying over the Sea of Oman.”
The consulate added, “Sending this code means there is an urgent emergency situation that requires a landing.”
FlightRadar24 data showed the aircraft tracking toward the UAE airspace, flying over the Gulf of Oman.
After being tracked near the UAE, the jet’s transponder went dark. This is a common practice during a military operation or after a safe landing.
The cause of the emergency was not immediately clear, and the United States has not issued any public statement on the matter.
Understanding Emergency Code 7700
In aviation, emergency code 7700 is a universal transponder squawk code used by pilots to declare a general emergency.
When a pilot enters this 4-digit code into the aircraft’s transponder, it immediately alerts Air Traffic Control and surrounding radar facilities that the aircraft requires priority handling and assistance.
The code may be used for a wide range of issues, including mechanical failures, onboard hazards, or as a precautionary measure.
It applies equally to civilian and military aircraft, although military operators frequently switch transponders off after declaring the alert.
Iran Renews Attacks Across The Gulf
The reported F-35 incident comes amid heightened military tensions in the region between the United States and Iran, with Tehran launching fresh attacks in the Gulf.
Cargo vessels were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, while the UAE and Kuwait also reported drone attacks.
This follows a warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to target US sites in the Middle East and “enemy ships” if its tankers came under fire.
The United Arab Emirates on Sunday said that it intercepted two Iranian drones. The defence ministry stated on X, “UAE air defence systems successfully engaged two UAVs launched from Iran.”
Kuwait’s military reported a drone attack against the country at dawn. The general staff of the army said on X, “At dawn today, the armed forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures.”
The statement did not specify the origin of the drones.
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