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.

Kuwait Petroleum ​Corporation said ‌its Mina ​al-Ahmadi ​refinery was hit ⁠by ​drones ​early on Friday, setting ​off ​fires at operating ‌units, ⁠according to the ​state ​news ⁠agency, but ​no ​injuries ⁠were reported.

The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in a statement said they are monitoring and tracking air quality in the areas surrounding the refinery, and no negative environmental impacts have been recorded so far as a result of the attack.

Emergency and firefighting teams are working to contain the fires and prevent their spread, the company said. No injuries were reported in the attack.

Dubai-based airline Emirates’ ​website said on ‌Wednesday that Iranian nationals ​were not ​allowed to enter or ⁠transit ​the United Arab ​Emirates.

The website of another carrier, Flydubai, ​said ​Iranian nationals holding a ‌UAE “Golden ⁠Visa” were exempt and permitted to ​enter ​and ⁠transit the country, Reuters reported.

The ​restrictions come ​amid ⁠heightened tensions between Iran ⁠and ​Gulf states.