TEHRAN – Iran’s air defense units successfully detected and intercepted an Israeli F-16 fighter jet in the early hours of Saturday, a day after they hit and damaged an American F-35 warplane.

In a statement on Saturday, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Public Relations department announced that the invading fighter jet was targeted and damaged at 3:45 AM local time, noting that their “modern air defense systems” were responsible for the interception. A source subsequently told the Tasnim news agency that the air defense system was domestically made.

The statement added that the jet still managed to flee Iran to a neighboring country. It is not clear whether the pilot is alive. Iran also hit an F-16 in its southwestern territory during the first week of the war.

On Friday, Iran hit and damaged an American F-35, once again in its central skies, marking the first time this model of U.S. warplane has been intercepted in history. That aircraft also managed to flee Iran, with U.S. media reporting that the pilot was receiving medical care.

Previously, Iran intercepted three F-15s in Kuwaiti territory. CENTCOM claimed the warplanes were hit by “friendly fire,” but they had been targeted in three different locations.

Iranian air defense units have made great improvements since the 12-day war in June 2025. They have hit around 200 enemy drones and missiles since the latest war began on February 28, including sophisticated Hermes drones, Heron drones, and Tomahawk missiles.