US Air Force F-33 fighter jet declares emergency over UAE 'after Iran attack'

A US fighter jet flying over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has declared emergency code 7700, according to reports. Flight trackers appear to indicate the F35 has made an emergency landing.

Squawk 7700 is the internationally recognised transponder code used by pilots to declare an in-flight emergency. It immediately alerts air traffic controllers that the aircraft requires priority handling.

Areas in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas were struck by “American projectiles,” Iran’s state television said on late on Thursday.

Social media chatter out of the Middle East indicates that the US has been targeting bridges, roads, and other civillian infrastructure instead of just military targets.

It comes as the US launched its sixth consecutive night of strikes on Iran on Thursday.

US Central Command said in a statement: “At 2 p.m. ET today, U.S. forces began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran for the sixth consecutive night to further degrade Iranian military capabilities.”

President Trump has been increasing pressure on Iran to follow the conditions outlined in the memorandum of understanding and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

This is a breaking news story. More to come.