Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central parts of the country, Iranian media reported.

Due to the destruction of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a statement by the IRGC.

This marks the second time Iran claimed it shot down a US F-35 amid the ongoing escalation since Feb. 28.

The US has not responded to the report as yet.

Iran had previously announced on March 19 that it had shot down a US F-35, a claim rejected by Washington.

Tehran also claimed on Thursday to have downed an Israeli F-16 jet.

Tensions in the region have remained high following a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. Iranian sources say the strikes have resulted in more than 1,300 deaths, including senior leadership figures.

In response, Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as locations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The ongoing exchanges have led to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to regional air traffic and global markets.

A tripartite agreement to establish a new trade and transit corridor linking Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan is expected to be signed in May, opening a fresh route for the movement of goods between Russia and Afghanistan.

The agreement is scheduled to be finalized on the sidelines of the Kazan Forum 2026, according to Russian media reports. The proposed corridor is seen as a strategic alternative to existing routes, particularly the North–South Corridor, which has faced disruptions due to ongoing tensions in Iran.

Rustam Khabibullin, head of the Russian Business Center in Afghanistan, said the new route could significantly streamline cargo transport between Russia and Afghanistan. He added that the corridor may also attract companies from Europe and Asia seeking more stable and reliable logistics options.

Afghanistan is considered a key supporter of the initiative. Once operational, the corridor is expected to facilitate direct shipments from Tatarstan to Afghanistan, reducing reliance on indirect transit routes through Central Asia.

The development has been welcomed by members of Afghanistan’s private sector, who say that expanding transit infrastructure and logistics networks could boost trade and contribute to economic growth.

In recent years, Afghanistan has emerged as an important market for Tatarstan’s halal products. According to reports, Afghan imports of halal goods from Tatarstan reached $51.7 million in 2025, marking a notable increase compared to the previous year. However, much of this trade has so far been conducted indirectly via third countries.

The planned corridor is expected to enhance direct trade links and improve efficiency in regional commerce.

Negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are making steady progress, China said on Friday, as efforts continue to ease tensions in their most serious conflict since the return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 2021.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said both sides had welcomed Beijing’s mediation and were willing to resume dialogue. “This is a positive development,” she said, noting that China remains in close communication with both governments.

Beijing— which shares a border with both countries—has stepped up diplomatic engagement in recent months, including calls with foreign ministers and a visit by a special envoy in March. Previous rounds of talks have reportedly taken place in Urumqi, though officials did not confirm the latest venue.

China has positioned itself as a facilitator, aiming to create conditions for dialogue and provide a platform for negotiations. Mao said further details would be released jointly by the three countries “in due course.”

Clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces since October have killed dozens on both sides, with Afghan civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Islamabad has accused Kabul of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks—an allegation Afghan authorities deny, calling militancy a domestic issue for Pakistan.

The renewed diplomatic push signals cautious optimism that tensions between the neighbors could ease through sustained dialogue under Chinese mediation.