Fact Check: Did Iran shoot down US B-2 bomber amid war?

WASHINGTON, DC: Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed after Israel and the US launched a joint missile strike on Iran's leadership and military. President Donald Trump urged Iranian forces to lay down their arms and for Iran's people to rise against their government.

Following this, a clip went viral on social media claiming that Iranian forces shot down one of the B-2 Bombers used by the US on Saturday, February 28. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Iran shot down a US B-2 bomber amid US-Iran war

Journalist Sulaiman Ahmed shared a clip on X with the caption, "A large aerial object appears to have been shot down near Mount Damavand in northern Iran. Footage shows a burning object falling from the sky before exploding on impact."

Though Ahmed did not claim that the 'aerial object' was a B-2 bomber, speculation escalated among internet users, as one said, "Never seen any impact like this, and again nobody ever saw a B2 bomber crashing. My bet is it is a B2 bomber."

Similarly, another X user wrote, "Holy s**t did Iran shoot down a B-2?"

On Sunday, March 1, Israel announced that it had launched fresh attacks on 'the heart of Tehran', as Iranian attacks across the region continued.

The POTUS has said that the operation aimed to 'ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon'. In an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social on Saturday, February 28, "We're going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally obliterated again."

Moreover, he also warned Iran's armed forces to lay down their weapons in exchange for 'complete immunity', or 'face certain death'.

"When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," Trump added.

Fact Check: False, no credible evidence to back the claim

The claims made in online posts are false, as Iran did not shoot down a US B-2 bomber. This claim appears to stem from unverified social media videos and speculation amid the ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iran. 

Recent reports confirm that US B-2 stealth bombers were used to strike Iranian missile facilities on or around Saturday, while official statements from US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Pentagon said bombers returned safely to the US following this mission. 

Moreover, there are mentions of US casualties, but these are not linked to any B-2 losses. There is no official confirmation from the US, Iran, or independent sources support the claim.