Has the stealthy F-35 met its match? Iran claims capture of Israeli pilots amid reports of third jet shoot-down
Iranian state media claim that Iranian air defences have successfully intercepted and downed three Israeli F-35I Adir stealth jets in the past 48 hours, including one in which a female pilot was allegedly captured after ejecting. The reports come on the heels of Israel's Operation Rising Lion, a multi-pronged air campaign involving F-35s, F-15s, and F-16s targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. While no independent confirmation has surfaced, Iran's narrative continues to gain traction on state channels, even as Israeli authorities and global defence analysts strongly deny the claims.According to semi-official outlets IRNA and Press TV, Iranian air defences brought down a third Israeli F-35 stealth fighter in the early hours of Saturday. One pilot is reported to have died; another has allegedly been captured alive after ejecting. Iran has not released any visual proof, and military bloggers have questioned the authenticity of circulating images that purport to show the wreckage. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have dismissed the entire narrative as 'fabricated.'
Colonel Avichay Adraee, IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, said, 'This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless.'The F-35I Adir is Israel's customised variant of the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II—a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet developed under the Joint Strike Fighter programme. Designed for stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare, the F-35 is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in the world.Israel's version integrates domestically developed modifications in five critical domains: command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I), as well as electronic warfare and weapons systems. These modifications allow the aircraft to carry out precision strikes in hostile environments and network seamlessly with IAF's legacy fighters.
Capable of flying long distances without refuelling due to added external fuel tanks, the F-35I has demonstrated this in past operations, including a 1,700-kilometre round trip to Yemen. The aircraft costs approximately US$100 million per unit and is equipped with features like a radar cross-section of just 0.0015 square metres—roughly the size of a golf ball—making it nearly undetectable on conventional radar.While the F-35 is marketed for its low observability and electronic warfare dominance, the idea that it is untouchable is not without precedent. The only confirmed instance of a stealth aircraft being shot down remains the 1999 downing of a US F-117 Nighthawk during NATO's campaign in Yugoslavia. Using a Soviet-era S-125 missile system, Yugoslav forces managed to track and hit the jet despite its stealth profile.In more recent years, a near-miss involving a Houthi-fired missile and a US-operated F-35 during operations over Yemen also sparked debate about the limits of stealth. Even the most advanced aircraft may be vulnerable to increasingly networked, radar-guided missile systems that exploit predictable flight paths or operate using unconventional detection methods.While Iran's semi-official news outlets, including Tasnim and IRNA, stated that the F-35 jets were neutralised and one female pilot captured after she ejected into western Iran, the global defence community remains unconvinced.Israel has categorically denied the reports.'This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless,' said Col. Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). 'Fake Iranian media.'Despite the gravity of Iran's assertion, no visual confirmation has been released. Iranian media have not published footage of the pilot or the wreckage. Meanwhile, a widely shared image of the alleged F-35 remains unverified, with military analysts suggesting it may be AI-generated.International news networks such as Sky News Arabia and Al Jazeera have also been unable to confirm Iran's claims. No satellite imagery or third-party monitoring group has supported Tehran's version of events.ET has not been able to independently verify these claims. On June 13, Israel reportedly launched Operation Rising Lion, involving F-35I Adirs, F-15s, and F-16s in a coordinated assault on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, including the Natanz enrichment complex. According to defence reports, the operation involved the use of missiles, drones, and sabotage operatives within Iran to neutralise radar sites and air defences ahead of the main strike.
Following the attacks, Iran claimed at least 78 fatalities, including key members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and over 300 injuries. Tehran's retaliation has included ballistic missile launches and drone strikes, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowing to 'bring ruin to the Zionist regime.' The possible loss of F-35I jets would be a significant setback for both the Israeli Air Force and Lockheed Martin. The aircraft's reputation as a near-invincible platform has been central to US and Israeli deterrence strategies in the region.
Israel was the first country to use the F-35 in combat in 2018. The stealth jet has flown high-risk missions before—including a 1,700-kilometre strike against Houthi forces in Yemen last year—often without needing mid-air refuelling thanks to additional modifications. Some analysts believe Tehran's announcement may be aimed at domestic audiences, intended to showcase strength and resilience after a high-profile attack on its soil.With mourning ceremonies now underway in Iran for the 78 reported victims of Israel's Operation Rising Lion, the narrative of shooting down Israeli jets and capturing a pilot could serve to reinforce unity and defiance.In contrast, Israel has continued its operations without indicating any loss of its aircraft fleet. The IDF maintains that all jets involved in the mission returned safely, and no pilot is missing.'Part of a disinformation campaign designed to save face after the heavy losses Iran suffered,' said the IDF spokesperson.If Iran's claim holds up, it would not only dent Israeli confidence but could trigger a deeper revaluation of stealth doctrine across global militaries.Without visual or technical evidence, Iran's claims remain unverified. No foreign media, international watchdogs, or satellite imagery have supported Iran's version of events. Yet Tehran insists that its forces have not only repelled Israeli attacks but scored a world-first: the downing of multiple fifth-generation fighters in a single operation.Should Iran's claims eventually be proven, it would not only mark the first combat loss of an F-35 worldwide but also deal a severe blow to Lockheed Martin and Israel's defence reputation. Until then, what remains clear is that both sides are now engaged not just in combat but in a high-stakes battle for narrative dominance.While both sides continue to trade accusations, missiles, and counterclaims, the real-world impact of the current exchange is already visible. Israeli air raid sirens continue to wail. Civilians remain in bomb shelters. Iranian state media is filled with triumphant coverage.The true test will come in the hours and days ahead—if independent confirmation emerges of the downed jets, and if the war spirals into further, deadlier escalation.For now, one thing is clear: the myth of the invincible stealth fighter is under the harsh spotlight of war.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
19 minutes ago
- News18
Saudi Arabia condemns blatant Israeli aggressions against Iran
Abu Dhabi, Jun 21 (AP) Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has condemned 'blatant Israeli aggressions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security, constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, and threaten the security and stability of the region," the state-run Saudi Press Agency has reported. Speaking at Friday's meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul, he called for 'the immediate cessation of military operations, the avoidance of escalation, and a return to the negotiation track between Iran and the international community." Iran and Saudi Arabia were long regional arch-rivals but have normalized relations in recent years. Riyadh was quick to side publicly with Tehran after Israel launched a surprise barrage of strikes on Iran last week. Bin Farhan also reiterated Saudi Arabia's support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The kingdom and France had been set to co-chair a conference in New York this month on the topic, which was postponed due to the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war. (AP) SCY SCY
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Neighbourhood policy at work: India to fly home Nepal, Sri Lanka citizens from Iran
In a major diplomatic outreach to its neighbours, India said Saturday it will evacuate nationals of Nepal and Sri Lanka who are stranded in Iran and want to leave the country. Officials in Delhi framed it as an example of India's 'neighbourhood first policy' — of helping its neighbours in times of crisis, be it conflict, natural calamity or pandemic. This announcement came on the day two more flights, operated by the Iranian Mahan Air, landed in Delhi. The Indian embassy in Tehran, in a post on X, said, 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka.' 'The citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka may urgently reach out to the Embassy, either on the Telegram channel or over the emergency contact numbers: +989010144557;+989128109115; +989128109109,' it stated. Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba expressed Kathmandu's gratitude. In a post on X, she thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar 'for India's swift assistance in helping to evacuate Nepali nationals from Iran'. 'India's support in Nepal's evacuation efforts is a reflection of the strength of Nepal-India ties,' she said. Sources said about 16 Nepal nationals are in touch with the Nepalese embassy in Delhi. Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a post, said, 'Sri Lanka extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the timely assistance to evacuate Sri Lankan nationals from Iran alongside Indian citizens. This act of solidarity exemplifies the strong and enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and India, and is deeply appreciated by the people of Sri Lanka.' So far, a total of 827 Indians have been evacuated from Iran. 'Another evacuation flight from Mashhad landed in New Delhi at 1630 hrs on 21 June with 310 Indian nationals from Iran. With this, a total of 827 Indians have been evacuated,' Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said. A group of about 290 Indian nationals, including students, reached Delhi late Friday night and early Saturday after being evacuated from Iran as its war with Israel intensified. On Wednesday, India announced the launch of Operation Sindhu to evacuate its nationals from Iran. 'Operation Sindhu flight brings citizens home. India evacuated 290 Indian nationals from Iran, including students and religious pilgrims by a charter flight. The flight arrived in New Delhi at 2330 hrs on 20 June and was received by Secretary (CPV& OIA) Arun Chatterjee,' Jaiswal wrote on X. 'Government of India is grateful to the Government of Iran for the facilitation of the evacuation process,' he said. The first batch of 110 Indian nationals, evacuated under Operation Sindhu, arrived in India Thursday, with many evacuees sharing firsthand accounts of the frightening situation they witnessed before being moved to safer locations. This is not the first time that Delhi has stepped in to evacuate citizens of its neighbours. In the early days of the Ukraine war, India evacuated nationals of neighbouring countries along with its own. Delhi managed to persuade Tehran to open Iranian airspace for the evacuation of around 1,000 Indians via the north-eastern town of Mashhad. Sources said Delhi, after days of negotiations, moved its nationals to Mashhad and secured overflight permissions from Iran and Turkmenistan to fly Indians out of harm's way. Mashhad is close to Iran's border with Turkmenistan, and India found an air corridor for a safe flight out. Indians were moved from Tehran to Qom and then to Mashhad, with the help of the Indian embassy and Iranian authorities. India's ties with Iran and Israel puts it in a delicate spot, where it has to do some diplomatic balancing act. Delhi has strategic stakes with Iran – from Chabahar port to shared concerns on Pakistan and Afghanistan. So, it has been very careful in its statements. It has a very strategic security and defence partnership with Israel as well. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Trump's ‘Two Weeks' Pause on Iran Strikes Comes With High Stakes
President Donald Trump often suggests that something will happen in 'two weeks' when he's looking to buy himself some time. But his latest two-weeks declaration — on possible US military strikes in Iran — comes with unusually high stakes. The pause, after days of bellicose rhetoric and social posts about evacuating Tehran, rattled markets in the region, triggered new threats from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, led Iranian officials to call the US Israel's 'partner in crime' and left Israel in a holding pattern. Because by now the world knows that Trump's 'two weeks' could mean two days, two months or never, his delay this time only fed the uncertainty. Regional equities slid on Friday, despite a sustained surge in oil prices that would typically support sentiment in Gulf economies. Israel — a US ally with particularly close ties to Trump — has been placed in a holding pattern. It launched its attacks arguing that Iran's nuclear capabilities must be neutralized. But experts say it will be hard for Israel to destroy Iran's most fortified uranium enrichment facility, the Fordow plant, without the bunker-busting bombs only the US has. The US military launched several long-range stealth B-2 bombers — the kind that could carry the 30,000-pound bombs — from Missouri over the Pacific, according to media reports, possibly positioning them in case of a strike. The Wall Street Journal cited officials saying that no order has been given to ready an operation. 'For the Israelis it does put them in a bind,' said Illan Goldenberg, a former White House and Pentagon official who worked on Iran issues. 'They'd prefer this not go on for weeks and months.' 'My guess is they have some kind of option for Fordow, but it's not as good as our option for Fordow,' said Goldenberg, a senior vice president at J Street, a liberal Israel lobbying group focused on creating a two-state solution. The Israelis 'put themselves in this limbo by launching a war and putting their faith in Donald Trump to come and finish the job.' Israeli officials told the White House in what was described as a tense phone call on Thursday that two weeks is too long to wait for Iran to reach a deal to dismantle its nuclear program, Reuters reported Saturday. Iran, meanwhile, could seek to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global crude flows. Even without a direct move by Tehran, nearly 1,000 vessels daily have reported GPS jamming near the narrow passage separating Iran from its Arab neighbors, according to the French naval liaison body MICA Center. The Houthis, an Iran-backed militia in Yemen, threatened on Saturday to target US vessels and battleships if the US joins Israeli attacks. The conflict started June 13 when Israel, saying it had evidence that Iran was close to achieving nuclear weapons capability, launched a series of missile attacks on Iran, which has returned missile attacks. Keeping the world guessing Trump for years has had a penchant for setting two-week deadlines, sometimes following through and at other times missing them or never acting at all, making 'within two weeks' a stock phrase for pending decisions in both his White House terms. On Friday, Trump kept the world guessing on his next steps. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, he called himself a 'peacemaker' and dismissed the idea of sending in ground troops. He both suggested he wanted a diplomatic path and said he might support a ceasefire, but also kept a military threat alive, describing the two-week time frame as a maximum. 'I'm giving them a period of time,' he declared. Israel has pressed Trump to offer support, but in return Trump has only offered a run of tough commentary. European diplomats have stepped in to try to de-escalate tensions by talking to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi with little to show for it but a dismissive remark from Trump. Trump won the presidency twice promising not to get the US involved in the kinds of intractable Middle East wars he savaged his predecessors over. His most fervent MAGA supporters have been urging him publicly and privately to avoid military action in keeping with his 'America First' position. Since Israel's assault on Iran started, Israelis have faced hundreds of ballistic missiles and 1,000 drone attacks launched by Tehran. Iran has lost a slew of military officials, with more than 400 people dead and several nuclear facilities and related infrastructure destroyed or damaged. Israel, which has been waging a military campaign in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked the country on Oct. 7, 2023, may struggle to sustain a war against Tehran. The US is already working to replenish Israel's defenses as they deplete their stock of interceptors. And Israeli officials say Trump's pause means the war will last even longer. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the Jewish state will 'achieve all of our objectives,' including rendering Fordow inoperable. Trump cited hopes for negotiations as part of his aim for the 'two-week' pause. But Iranians refuse to negotiate with the US while an Israeli assault continues, and the talks with European leaders appeared to make little progress. Trump expressed skepticism about those efforts Friday, saying: 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help them.' Yet Iran refuses to talk to the US while the Israeli assault continues. Peter Krause, a Boston College professor who specializes in Middle Eastern politics, argued that if Trump is doing 'coercive diplomacy' with Iran, then his 'hand is strengthened' the more damage Israelis do to Iran. Krause said the next two weeks will likely see a 'ramping up with more of the same militarily, but simultaneously, attempted diplomacy led by the Europeans and maybe the United States and the Turks to see if we can get an off-ramp before things get worse.' Trump has also long hurled ultimatums at opponents that he often quickly reverses as he pushes them to make concessions — as the world saw with his tariffs regime in the spring — demanding exorbitant tariffs only to back off once the trading partner arrived at the negotiating table. But taking that approach here may not work. The latest signals from the White House suggest a demand for zero uranium enrichment in Iran, a condition Tehran sees as fundamentally unacceptable. Iranian officials maintain they have no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, but argue that some level of enrichment, under clear restrictions and oversight, is a sovereign right. Stripping that away, they contend, would amount to capitulation rather than compromise. With assistance from Ethan Bronner. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
