Iranian state media have claimed that the country’s air defense systems shot down two Israeli F-35 Adir stealth fighter jets and captured one of the pilots—a woman—following Israel’s airstrikes under Operation Rising Lion. The bold assertion has stirred global speculation and skepticism, with international observers unable to verify the claims independently.
According to semi-official outlets Tasnim and IRNA, the alleged shootdown occurred during Israel’s unprecedented aerial offensive targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. Tehran reports that the strikes killed at least 78 people, including military officials, scientists, women, and children, and wounded over 320 others. In retaliation, Iran said it launched surface-to-air missiles and drones, purportedly neutralizing several Israeli air assets, including the two advanced stealth jets.
The F-35 Lightning II, known for its radar-evading capabilities, is among the world’s most advanced fighter jets. Its stealth features give it a radar cross-section as small as 0.0015 square meters, making it virtually undetectable by conventional radar systems. While past events—like the 1999 downing of a US F-117A stealth aircraft in Serbia—prove that stealth jets are not invincible, that incident had extensive evidence and was confirmed by both sides.
In stark contrast, Iran’s claims remain unverified. No wreckage images, satellite evidence, or confirmations from international monitoring bodies have surfaced. Israel’s Defense Forces have strongly denied the allegations, labeling them “entirely fabricated” and part of a psychological operation to distract from the severe losses Tehran suffered during the Israeli offensive.
A spokesperson for the IDF dismissed the reports as disinformation aimed at salvaging Iran’s image amid widespread damage and casualties. No international outlet, including Sky News or Al Jazeera, has been able to corroborate Iran’s account.
Analysts suggest the announcement could be an attempt by Iran to project strength domestically following the shock of Israel’s precision strikes, which reportedly crippled key Iranian defense capabilities.
Meanwhile, both nations remain on high alert. Israel continues to recover from retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Iran, with dozens of civilians injured. In Iran, national mourning has begun for those killed, and officials have issued fresh warnings of further retaliation, urging the global community to condemn Israel’s “act of naked aggression.”
With facts still obscured by the fog of war, the truth behind the alleged F-35 downing remains elusive.
