Iran’s air defence forces claimed to shot down two Israeli fighter jets and captured a female pilot, following a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other regions early Friday, according to semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim.
According to repert, the aircraft, identified as Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets, were intercepted during what Iranian authorities have termed a “blatant act of aggression” by Israel.
Iran’s air defense systems also neutralised a large number of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), as per initial reports.
While the Israeli government has yet to officially confirm the downing of its aircraft or the capture of any personnel, regional analysts believe the incident could mark a dangerous escalation in the ongoing hostilities between the two arch-rivals.
According to Tasnim, the captured pilot of one of the jets is a woman, though further details about her identity or condition remain undisclosed.
In a strongly worded statement, the Islamic Republic vowed a “crushing response” to what it called Israel’s “reckless aggression.” Iranian leadership condemned the attacks, which reportedly targeted several residential areas in the capital Tehran and strategic sites across the country.
The Israeli strikes have resulted in significant casualties, including the reported deaths of several senior Iranian military commanders and at least six nuclear scientists. Among the senior officials killed were Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami, Khatam al-Anbia Central HQ Chief Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, and IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
The Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, stating that Israel had committed a grave error and would face dire consequences. “With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see,” Khamenei said.
The strikes come amid heightened tensions in the region, where a series of retaliatory attacks have followed recent clashes. The latest developments raise fresh concerns about the prospect of a broader conflict involving regional and international powers.
There has been no official response from Tel Aviv on Iran’s claims regarding the warplanes or the captured pilot. However, Israeli media outlets have reported high alert status across the country’s military installations.
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