Iran Claims Historic F-35I Shootdown Amid Israel-Iran Air War — Reality Or Propaganda?

A dramatic claim has emerged from Iranian state media: that its air defense forces successfully shot down two Israeli F-35I Adir stealth fighter jets during a major Israeli air raid on June 13. If proven true, this would mark only the second time in history a stealth combat aircraft has been downed in battle — but Israel has firmly rejected the allegation.

Operation ‘Rising Lion’ And The Air Strikes

The incident allegedly took place during Operation ‘Rising Lion’, a high-risk Israeli Air Force (IAF) operation targeting Iranian military and nuclear installations. Israeli F-35I Adirs, F-15s, and F-16s reportedly flew around 2,000 kilometers into Iranian airspace, coordinating strikes with drones and missiles from within Iranian territory. These attacks left severe damage to nuclear sites, including Natanz, and reportedly killed senior leaders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

The IAF’s prized asset in this operation was the F-35I Adir — Israel’s customized variant of the US-made fifth-generation F-35A stealth fighter. Known for advanced sensors, Israeli-made electronic warfare systems, and long-range strike capability, the Adir was hailed as a key player in penetrating Iran’s sophisticated air defense network.

Iran’s Retaliation And Its Claims

Following the strikes, Iran retaliated with a volley of ballistic missiles and drone attacks aimed at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, vowing to inflict serious damage on the “Zionist regime.”

Soon after, Iranian state media claimed its air defense systems had intercepted and shot down two Israeli F-35 jets, capturing one female pilot alive after she ejected over Iranian territory. Iranian officials proudly declared it a historic feat — allegedly making Iran the first country to successfully down fifth-generation stealth fighters.

However, Israel’s military immediately dismissed the claim as “fake news” and “baseless propaganda,” asserting that no Israeli aircraft were lost during the operation.

The “F-35 Crash Photo” Controversy

To support its claim, images began circulating on social media — especially on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram — showing what was claimed to be wreckage of an F-35I Adir shot down by Iran.

But defense analysts and military bloggers were quick to debunk these images. Upon close examination, the aircraft shown in the viral photo did not match the distinct structure and features of an F-35 stealth jet. In fact, the wreckage appeared more like that of a 4th or 4.5-generation fighter aircraft — possibly an old crash photo repurposed to stir propaganda.

As of now, Iran has not released any credible images, video evidence, or details about the alleged captured pilot to verify its claims.

Can Stealth Jets Be Shot Down?

While F-35s are among the most advanced combat jets in the world, no aircraft is completely invisible to radar. Stealth fighters are designed to reduce detection probability, not eliminate it.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a stealth aircraft has faced danger. In 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, an American F-117 Nighthawk — the world’s first operational stealth jet — was shot down by an old Soviet-era surface-to-air missile system. That incident proved that under the right circumstances, even stealth aircraft can be vulnerable.

Earlier this year, a US F-35 Lightning II nearly became a victim of a Houthi missile over Yemen, forcing its pilot to take evasive action. The incident suggested that even modern stealth aircraft are detectable to certain air defense systems.

Why This Claim Matters

If Iran’s claim were somehow verified, it would be a significant military and political blow to Israel and Lockheed Martin, the F-35’s manufacturer. It would also challenge the long-standing belief in the invulnerability of fifth-generation stealth fighters and raise serious concerns about their survivability in heavily defended airspace.

However, given the current absence of concrete proof, widespread skepticism remains — both among defense experts and on the international stage.

The Reality: War Propaganda or Truth?

In high-stakes conflicts like this, misinformation and propaganda often play as big a role as military operations. Iran’s claim might be an attempt to rally domestic support and intimidate its rivals after the severe damage it reportedly suffered during Operation Rising Lion.

For now, the world watches and waits for verified evidence — if any — to emerge.