Rising Tensions in the Middle East: Iran Claims It Shot Down Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighters
The ongoing hostility between Israel and Iran has taken a dramatic turn, as Iran has claimed to have shot down two Israeli F-35 stealth fighter jets during a series of aerial assaults. If verified, this would mark the first-ever successful downing of the highly advanced 5th-generation fighter, considered one of the most powerful and stealthy aircraft in the world.
From Friends to Foes
Up until 1979, Israel and Iran were strategic allies. Under the rule of the Shah, Iran maintained strong diplomatic and military relations with Israel. However, the Islamic Revolution of 1979 brought a drastic shift in Iran’s foreign policy. The newly formed Islamic Republic, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, not only severed all ties with Israel but also refused to acknowledge its existence. Iran branded Israel and its staunch ally, the United States, as enemies of Islam.
This ideological divide sowed the seeds of prolonged enmity. Over the decades, Iran began funding and arming proxy militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen — all of which are vehemently opposed to Israel. These actions made Iran a persistent security threat in Israel’s eyes.
October 7th Attack: A Game Changer
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive rocket attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians and abducting more than 200 people. This deadly assault was considered one of the worst attacks on Israeli soil in decades. In response, Israel launched a relentless counteroffensive targeting Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed groups.
Operation “Rising Lion” Begins
In retaliation for continued attacks from Iranian-backed groups, and specifically after Iran reportedly launched missiles directly at Israeli territory on October 1, 2024, Israel initiated a massive aerial campaign named Operation Rising Lion. This operation marks one of Israel’s largest-ever airstrikes, specifically targeting Iranian military installations and nuclear facilities.
To execute this mission, Israel employed some of the world’s most advanced aircraft — the American-made F-15, F-16, and F-35 stealth fighter jets. The F-35, in particular, is revered globally for its stealth capabilities, advanced radar, and near-undetectable flight pattern.
The F-35 Controversy
Iran has claimed that it successfully shot down two Israeli F-35 jets and intercepted several Israeli drones. Even more surprisingly, Iran’s diplomatic mission in India posted on social media platform X that a female Israeli pilot had been captured.
This claim, if confirmed, would send shockwaves through global defense communities. It would make Iran the first country to shoot down an F-35 fighter, which has long been considered virtually invincible in modern aerial warfare. Israel, however, has categorically denied the claim, stating that none of its fighter jets were hit and that the operation was proceeding successfully.
Is It Even Possible to Shoot Down an F-35?
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, stealth multirole fighter developed by the United States. Its stealth design allows it to evade even the most advanced radar systems. The jet has cutting-edge electronic warfare capabilities and precision weapons. The idea of it being shot down is, according to many experts, nearly unthinkable.
However, history tells us that even stealth aircraft are not invincible.
The 1999 Yugoslavia Incident – A Precedent
During the Kosovo War in 1999, the United States’ first stealth aircraft, the F-117A Nighthawk, was shot down by Yugoslav forces. Lieutenant Colonel Zoltán Dani of the Yugoslav military managed to track and shoot down the aircraft using a Soviet-era S-125 Neva/Pechora missile system. The pilot, Lt. Col. Dale Zelko, ejected and survived the incident.
The attack occurred near Belgrade. According to reports, Dani’s team turned on radar for just 20 seconds at a time to avoid detection while triangulating the plane’s position. The strike was confirmed by a NATO Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft in the air at the time.
Within a month, another F-117A was reportedly hit and damaged. Following these events, the U.S. gradually phased out the F-117A from active service by 2008.
Is Iran Pulling a “Zoltán Dani” of Its Own?
If Iran has indeed managed to shoot down not one but two F-35s, it signals a shocking development in the global defense landscape. It would indicate that Iran has either developed or acquired advanced radar and missile technology capable of penetrating the F-35’s stealth envelope — a feat previously thought impossible.
Iran has previously boasted of developing indigenous air defense systems, such as the Bavar-373, modeled in some respects on the Russian S-300 system. However, no credible evidence has emerged yet to confirm that Iran’s systems can neutralize a stealth jet like the F-35.
Strategic Implications
If proven, the downing of an F-35 would be a monumental blow to U.S. defense credibility and a propaganda victory for Iran. It could raise serious questions about the survivability of Western aircraft in future conflicts and lead to a reevaluation of stealth technology’s supremacy.
Moreover, any Israeli pilot captured would create a diplomatic and military crisis with widespread consequences — including prisoner negotiations and further escalations.
For Iran, this would be a symbolic triumph, potentially boosting morale among its allies and proxies. For the United States, which supplies F-35s to several allies, it could result in calls for urgent upgrades or reevaluation of operational protocols.
Risk of Regional Escalation
This conflict has the potential to evolve from proxy warfare into a full-scale regional war. With both nations capable of long-range strikes and each possessing significant military assets, the situation is tense. The U.S. has military bases in the region, and any direct confrontation could draw in more nations, including NATO members.
Diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation, but the narrative surrounding the F-35 incident has added fuel to an already burning fire.
Conclusion
While the world awaits concrete proof of Iran’s claim, the very possibility that F-35 fighters may have been shot down is enough to unsettle the global military balance. Whether it was a technological fluke, a strategic mistake, or a new era in air defense, this development — real or not — has redefined the Iran-Israel standoff.
If confirmed, it would mark a turning point in aerial combat history and signal that even the most advanced aircraft are no longer untouchable in modern warfare.
