Iranian media confirms capture of Israeli pilot after downing F-35 fighter jet

Iranian media reported that Iranian special forces captured an Israeli pilot after his plane was shot down. The Iranian military previously confirmed that it had targeted an Israeli F-35 fighter jet in the west of the country, and that the pilot had ejected. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks on various areas in Iran continue.

The Iranian military announced on Friday that "the army's air defense forces successfully hit and destroyed two Israeli F-35 fighter jets and a large number of drones."

According to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA), the fate of the Israeli pilots is unknown and is being investigated.

In contrast, an Israeli official denied that Iran had shot down two Israeli warplanes, as reported, describing the matter as "fake news."

"The current reports of two Israeli warplanes being shot down are fake news," the official, who requested anonymity, told AFP.

Israel continued its extensive attacks on Iran on Saturday, with Iranian state television reporting that the army "managed to shoot down Israeli drones that violated the country's airspace in the Salmas border area."

The same source added that "the drones entered Iranian airspace on espionage and reconnaissance missions." Tasnim News Agency also quoted the deputy governor of Lorestan as saying that Iranian forces shot down four Israeli drones and small aircraft in the airspace of the Khorramabad region.

Source: Al Jazeera + Iranian press