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Iran Claims Downing of Two Israeli Fighter Jets Amid Unprecedented Aerial Assault
Tehran reports the downing of Israeli warplanes and a drone during Israel’s massive strike on Iranian nuclear and military targets; Israel denies the losses as open warfare escalates.
Watan-The Iranian military announced on Friday evening that it had shot down two Israeli fighter jets that were participating in attacks on Iranian territory.
In an official statement, the Iranian army said its forces downed two warplanes during their combat operations inside Iran. It also reported the shooting down of an Israeli drone over the city of Qom.
Iranian state television confirmed that at least one Israeli fighter jet was downed by air defenses, while Tasnim News Agency reported that an Israeli pilot had been captured alive.
Israel Launches “Rising Lion” Strikes as Tensions with Iran Escalate Toward Open War
However, a spokesperson for the Israeli military denied these claims, stating: “There is no truth to Iranian reports regarding the downing of an Israeli fighter jet or the arrest of a pilot.”
The incident comes after Israel launched a major offensive at dawn on Friday, backed implicitly by the United States, deploying over 200 warplanes in an operation dubbed “Rising Lion.” The Israeli assault targeted nuclear facilities, missile bases, and assassinated prominent Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.
According to the Israeli military, the “preemptive operation” is being carried out in multiple waves and was directed by the Israeli political leadership. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the goal of the unprecedented strike is to destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and several other military assets.
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated in a message to the nation that Iran has the legitimate right to retaliate, vowing a “crushing response” that would make Israel deeply regret its aggression.
This Israeli attack is the largest of its kind against Iran, marking a shift from covert operations—such as targeted assassinations and sabotage—to a direct military confrontation unprecedented in the region in recent years.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised the Israeli offensive, calling it “ideal,” while revealing that Iran had been given a 60-day deadline to reach a nuclear agreement, which expired on Thursday. As regional and global diplomatic efforts intensify to contain the situation, there is growing fear that this escalation could spiral into a full-scale war.
The United States, Israel, and other allies have long accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons—charges that Tehran denies, claiming its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes, including power generation.
