Enemy fighter jet operations over central Iran reduce sharply after F-35 strike: Source

Iranian air defense systems have successfully reduced military aggression by American and Israeli fighter jets in the central regions of the country after the F-35 aircraft was struck, a highly-placed intelligence source told Press TV.

According to the source, Iran’s advanced and integrated air defense network has inflicted multiple blows against enemy invading aircraft, forcing a decrease in the tempo of operations over central Iran.

“The multiple strikes by Iran’s integrated air defense system against American and Israeli invading aircraft have led to a significant reduction in military operations by American and Israeli fighter jets in the central regions of the country,” the source said.

The source further noted that the enemy had focused on harassment and terrorist actions in central Iran but has so far failed to achieve its objectives.

“After striking the F-35, the pace of military operations has decreased, although aircraft and drones are still being used for reconnaissance purposes,” he added.

The intelligence source also revealed that the number of downed drones has reached nearly 200. Citing defensive innovations deployed against enemy aircraft, he said the rate of strikes against enemy warplanes is likely to increase in the coming days.

“Given the defensive innovations against enemy aircraft, it appears that in the coming days, the rate of strikes against enemy warplanes will increase,” the source said.

On March 19, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) aerospace division struck the crown jewel of the US Air Force – the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter – irrevocably reshaping the strategic calculus of the ongoing US-Israeli aggression, as per experts.

For nearly two decades, the F-35 program stood as the pinnacle of American military dominance – a multi-trillion-dollar, fifth-generation platform designed to pierce the world’s most advanced air defenses with total impunity.

That myth was shattered over the skies of central Iran, where the IRGC deployed the domestically built air defense system to expose vulnerabilities of the F-35 aircraft.

As the aggression enters its fourth week, Iran’s integrated air defense network has not only endured the heaviest aerial bombardment but has systematically dismantled the technological arrogance of the US-Israeli war machine.