Tehran, June 14, 2025 — Iran's Armed Forces have announced the downing of a third Israeli F‑35I "Adir" fighter jet, claiming that two Israeli pilots have been captured on Iranian soil. The announcement escalates tensions amid the unfolding military operations between Iran and Israel.
🎯 Iran’s Official Announcement
-
Iran's national military statement reported that air defense systems shot down a third F‑35, with the pilot allegedly captured after ejecting over western Iran (tehrantimes.com).
-
According to Tehran Times, one Israeli pilot is believed to have been killed and another taken prisoner during separate engagements earlier in the conflict (tehrantimes.com).
🛩️ Israel’s Denial & Strategic Context
-
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have denied these claims, dismissing them as “completely baseless” .
-
These reports come amid "Operation Rising Lion", Israel’s expansive air campaign using over 200 aircraft—including multiple F‑35I Adirs—against Iranian nuclear and military installations (en.wikipedia.org).
-
Regional media has also noted that Iran has launched five waves of ballistic missile attacks and deployed drone strikes targeting Israeli infrastructure following Israel's initial airstrikes (tehrantimes.com).
🌐 Implications and Verification
-
If confirmed, the loss of three F‑35s—considered among the most advanced stealth jets globally—and the capture of pilots would mark an unprecedented turn in stealth warfare (samaa.tv).
-
However, no independent confirmation (e.g., satellite imagery, third-party intelligence) has emerged, and Israeli officials stand by their denial (arabnews.com). Reports remain unverified amid a highly contested information environment.
-
Satellite analysis and defense experts caution that F‑35s are resilient platforms, and they emphasize the need for concrete evidence, such as wreckage or recovery operations, before validating Iran's claims .
Disclaimer: This article reflects information available as of June 14, 2025, based on Iranian military statements, IDF responses, and defense analyst coverage. Given the lack of independent confirmation, these claims remain unverified. Any new evidence or official updates following this date may alter the conclusions presented here.
0 Comments