Iran Claims Third Israeli F-35 Shot Down, Pilot Captured
Agencies
Tehran: Iran has claimed a dramatic escalation in its conflict with Israel, announcing that its air defense forces have shot down a third Israeli F-35 stealth fighter jet, reportedly capturing the pilot alive.
According to the Iranian army’s statement released Saturday, the jet was intercepted and downed by a domestically-produced defense system as it entered western Iranian airspace. The pilot is said to have ejected safely and was taken into custody by Iranian special forces. Foreign media reports support the claim, although no independent verification has yet been provided.
Iranian state-run Tasnim News Agency had earlier reported the downing of two other Israeli jets, including one F-35, in the past 24 hours. If confirmed, this would mark the first instance of a US-made F-35 being shot down in combat—a development with serious implications for global military dynamics.
The latest incident reportedly brings the number of downed F-35s to three since Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Iranian territory. According to Tehran Times, among the earlier incidents, one Israeli pilot was killed, while a second—allegedly a female pilot—was captured.
Iranian military sources also stated that numerous micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) launched by Israel were intercepted and neutralized.
Tensions at a Boiling Point
The downing of the F-35 jets follows a wave of Israeli airstrikes that began early Friday, targeting Tehran and multiple Iranian cities. These attacks reportedly killed around 100 people, including civilians, top military officers, and several nuclear scientists. Strategic nuclear and military sites were also said to have been hit.
In retaliation, Iran launched at least five waves of ballistic missile strikes on Israeli targets, claiming to have destroyed or severely damaged more than 150 military and intelligence installations across Israeli-held territory. Kamikaze drones were also deployed in the ongoing counter-offensive, and Iranian sources suggested heavier missile barrages may follow.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state media reported on Saturday that three more nuclear scientists—Ali Bakhouei Karimi (mechanical engineering), Mansour Asgari (physics), and Saeed Borji (materials science)—were killed in the Israeli bombardments.
The number of Iranian scientists killed since Friday now stands at nine, in what officials describe as a deliberate campaign to undermine the country’s scientific capabilities.
Escalating Casualties and Leadership Losses
Friday’s Israeli strikes also reportedly claimed the lives of several senior Iranian military leaders, including:
Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces
Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Commander
Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of Khatam al-Anbia Central HQ
Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, IRGC Aerospace Force Commander
In response to what it called “reckless aggression,” Iran has vowed a “crushing response.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli actions, warning, “With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.”
Verification Pending
As of now, the Israeli government has not confirmed the loss of any aircraft or personnel. Israeli media have reported that the country’s military remains on high alert, but officials in Tel Aviv have refrained from commenting on Iran’s claims.
Analysts warn that the alleged downing of multiple fifth-generation stealth fighters and the capture of a pilot—especially if confirmed to be a female officer—could provoke a dangerous escalation in the conflict, with far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond.
Global observers have called for independent verification of the events, given their potentially historic implications in modern aerial warfare and regional security.
