Tensions Escalate as Iran Claims to Down Israeli Drone and Fighter Jet
TEHRAN – June 18, 2025:
Iranian state media reported on Monday that Iranian forces have shot down an Israeli surveillance drone in Isfahan. According to the national broadcaster IRIB, the unmanned Hermes aircraft was brought down and footage of the wreckage was released.
In a separate report, Iran’s official news agency IRNA stated that an Israeli F-35 fighter jet was also destroyed in the Javadabad area near Varamin city. These claims have not yet been confirmed by Israeli officials, and there has been no immediate response from the Israeli government.
Rising Regional Tensions
The reported incidents come amid rising military tensions between the two nations. According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel is reportedly facing a shortage of Arrow missile interceptors, which are key components of its defense system against long-range ballistic missiles.
The U.S.-based publication cited an anonymous official who said that Washington has been aware of the issue for months, and has been assisting Israel with additional defensive support by deploying systems on land, sea, and air. The Israeli military, when approached, declined to comment on matters related to its munitions stockpile.
Ongoing Missile Exchanges
Reports from multiple media outlets indicate that both countries launched new missile strikes on Wednesday as hostilities extended into a sixth consecutive day. Early in the morning, the Israeli military reported two barrages of missiles launched from Iran, with explosions heard in areas around Tel Aviv.
In response, Israel reportedly advised residents in parts of southwestern Tehran to evacuate ahead of planned airstrikes on military targets. Iranian media sources claimed that one of the locations struck included a university with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, located in eastern Tehran.
Additionally, strikes were reported near the Khojir ballistic missile facility, a site previously targeted by Israeli airstrikes in October 2024.
Conclusion
As both nations continue to exchange military actions, regional and global observers are closely monitoring developments. The international community has expressed concern about further escalation and its potential impact on broader Middle Eastern stability.
