TEHRAN – World witnessed major escalation between Iran and Israel, and now Iranian air force reportedly shot down an Israeli fighter jet—believed to be a cutting-edge F-35 stealth aircraft—and captured the pilot.
Several reports claimed Iranian authorities captured pilot who is now in their custody following a large-scale search operation.
This is what is said to be an Israeli pilot ejected from an F-35.
Iran confirmed one pilot captured.
— Chuniya Chand Chaukhan (@5thVed) June 13, 2025
The incident unfolded late Friday night amid missile attacks and air raid sirens across Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli officials confirmed that the jet was downed during a mission linked to ongoing military operations against Iranian targets.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the downing of the Israeli jet was part of a broader retaliation involving hundreds of ballistic missiles fired at Israeli territory. This missile strike was described as a response to Israel’s recent air raids targeting Iran’s underground nuclear facility at Natanz and the killing of top Iranian military commanders.
While Israel has launched what it calls “Operation Rising Lion,” aimed at countering Iranian aggression, the capture of the pilot marks a new and serious development in the conflict.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of starting the conflict and vowed to continue responding firmly to Israeli actions. Explosions have also been reported near Tehran and the Fordow nuclear site, with Iranian air defenses activated in multiple cities, including Isfahan.
The capture of the Israeli pilot is expected to further heighten tensions and complicate diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
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