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Iran Claims to Have Shot Down a Fifth Israeli F35 Over Varamin

On June 18 2025 Iranian authorities announced that their air defense systems downed an Israeli F35 stealth fighter near Varamin southeast of Tehran The claim was reported both by IRNA Iranian state news agency and cited by the Russian agency TASS which stated it was the fifth such F35 allegedly shot down since the conflict escalated on June 13 .
According to municipal officials in Varamin specifically the Javadabad district local air defenses shot down and eliminated an enemy F35 late Wednesday evening Iran also reported intercepting an Israeli drone over the same area .

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Sequence of Irans F35 Shoot Down Claims

  • Irans narrative outlines a growing tally of Israeli stealth aircraft losses in what it portrays as a sustained air defense victory
  • First F35 Allegedly downed on June 13 near Natanz during the launch of Operation Rising Lion aimed at Irans nuclear facilities
  • Second Reported near Kermanshah citing advanced multispectral detection overcoming stealth technology
  • Third Claimed over Bandar Abbas targeting naval installations
  • Fourth Allegedly shot down near Tabriz confirmed by Tasnim news tied to IRGCaffiliated outlets
  • Fifth The latest over Varamin marking a rapid string of escalating claims

Israels Denial and Lack of Independent Verification

The Israel Defense Forces IDF have categorically denied all shoot down claims labeling them as fake news and baseless with no evidence of losing any F35 aircraft
Additionally Snopes cast doubt on circulating imagery concluding there is no credible proof any F35 has been downed by Iran
Military experts emphasize that independent confirmation is absent every F35 claim relies exclusively on state affiliated Iranian media without corroborating satellite imagery wreckage pilot testimony or other verification

Strategic Ramifications and Psychological Warfare

Irans repeated declarations contribute to a potent informational and psychological campaign shaping perceptions of its air defense systems such as the Bavar 373 Khordad 15 S300 and Sevom Khordad SAM systems as capable of detecting and neutralizing advanced stealth jets

This messaging has broader strategic aims

  • Undermines the credibility of the F35 and by extension US air dominance
  • Applies political pressure on US allies pressuring them to reassess support
  • Provides a domestic boost to the Iranian military apparatus by projecting strength

Context Operation Rising Lion and Regional Tensions

The shoot down claims stem from Operation Rising Lion launched by Israel on June 13 which involved over 200 air strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations
Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles drones and UAVs against Israel resulting in civilian injuries
While Israel asserts it maintains air superiority over Iranian airspace it also acknowledges significant limitations reaching deeply buried targets like Fordow without US assistance

Confirmed Iranian Shoot Down Hermes 900 Drone

Unlike F35 allegations Iran has provided credible evidence of shooting down a Hermes 900 drone over Isfahan Province releasing imagery of wreckage and matching it to the Israelimade UAV
The Israeli Air Force confirmed the loss attributing it to a surfacetoair missile strike
This marks Irans first verified aerial kill in the conflict contrasting sharply with its unsubstantiated stealth jet claims .

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Conclusion Claims vs Verified Facts

While Iran continues to boast of downing five Israeli F35 aircraft each report relies solely on state controlled media with no external validation Conversely Israels denials and the lack of independent evidence cast serious doubt on these claims .
However the confirmed drone shoot down underscores that Irans air defenses are functional just perhaps not as capable as claimed As the conflict escalates separating fact from propaganda becomes essential for understanding the evolving balance of power in the region .

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