TEHRAN: Iranian state media on Saturday claimed that the country’s air defenses have shot down a third Israeli F-35 fighter, which was dismissed by the Israeli army.
The state news agency IRNA reported that the jet’s pilot ejected, and army commandos arrested the pilot.
Israeli army spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee denied the reports on X, describing the claims as lies.
On Friday, Tasnim news agency reported that the army shot down two Israeli fighter jets involved in airstrikes on Iranian territory, and also took an Israeli woman pilot into custody.
Adraee had denied those reports as well, calling them “completely baseless” and accusing Iranian media of fabricating information.
In the early hours of Friday, Israeli forces attacked Iran, hitting nuclear and missile facilities and killing over 104 people, including top military commanders and leading scientists, and injuring nearly 380 people.
Iran responded with missiles Friday night, targeting several areas across Israel, killing three people and injuring over 170 others. The wave of attacks continued during the day and on Saturday as well.
