The Public Relations Department of the Iranian Army, as reported by Mehr News Agency, announced that its air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed two Israeli F-35 fighter jets early this morning, along with several smaller aircraft attempting to approach Iranian airspace.

Details of the Iranian Air Defense Operation
According to the Iranian command, the intercepting missiles were launched from ground-to-air batteries in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran, targeting high-precision aerial threats. The statement added that both traditional and advanced radar systems were involved in tracking the hostile aircraft before firing the missiles. The entire operation—from detection to destruction—reportedly took less than three minutes.
Fate of the Pilots Under Investigation
The statement noted that the fate of the two downed jets' pilots remains unknown. Iranian security forces are continuing to collect debris and investigate the incident in coordination with intelligence agencies. No confirmation or denial has yet been issued regarding the pilots’ survival or possible capture.

Official Israeli Response
In a swift reaction, the Israeli military released a separate statement confirming that an Iranian missile had breached the airspace over central Israel, injuring seven Israeli soldiers. The injuries were reported to be mostly bruises and psychological trauma. The wounded were transported to hospitals in Tel Aviv for treatment, with no fatalities reported thus far.
Potential Escalation and Global Response
This escalation comes just days after increased Western sanctions on Iran amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session to discuss the latest developments. Meanwhile, the United States and Israel have warned of “severe consequences” should Iran’s claims be verified.
Observers fear the region may slide into a broader conflict, threatening maritime stability in the Gulf and impacting global oil markets.