ALBAWABA- Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated further as Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the Iranian Armed Forces' air defense successfully shot down an Israeli F-35 fighter jet over the northwestern city of Tabriz.
The incident marks a significant development in the aerial conflict between the two adversaries.
In a retaliatory move earlier in the day, the Israeli military claimed responsibility for destroying two Iranian F-14 fighter jets stationed at an airport in Tehran.
The Israeli army confirmed the strikes and warned that operations would continue, stating: “We will continue the attack, and I will not reveal our data bank or operational plans.”
Meanwhile, Iran has formally notified the United Nations Security Council that its recent strikes on Israel fall under Article 51 of the UN Charter, affirming its right to self-defense.
A representative from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council emphasized that the response was “proportionate and aimed solely at Israeli military targets and their supporting infrastructure.”
On the diplomatic front, Israel’s Foreign Minister stated that he informed the EU’s foreign policy chief that Israeli operations in Iran are not over.
In contrast, the Iranian Foreign Minister posted on his Telegram account that he was challenging the United States to take meaningful steps to end the conflict. “If the U.S. President truly believes in diplomacy, his next actions will be decisive,” he wrote.
He added, “One phone call from Washington could silence someone like Netanyahu and bring the situation back to diplomacy.”
The Iranian foreign minister further claimed that “all evidence points to Netanyahu’s criminal attack on Iran, which killed hundreds of civilians, as a deliberate attempt to sabotage an emerging U.S.–Iran agreement.”
