Fact-Check: Was an Israeli F-35 Jet Shot Down in Iran?
Amid ongoing regional tensions, a viral image circulating on social media claims to show an Israeli F-35 fighter jet that was shot down in Iran. Some users commented the image also commented on the aircraft’s unexpected size and linked it to missiles reportedly used in Gaza. The image and its implications have sparked widespread speculation. We investigated the claims and found them to be false or unverified.
Social Media Posts
A social media post shared an image of a wrecked jet in the desert, accompanied by the claim that the jet is an Israeli F-35 that was shot down in Iran.
Fact-Check
Image Analysis
Discrepancy in Aircraft Size: The image shows a large wrecked fighter jet surrounded by people, with the aircraft appearing abnormally massive in comparison to human scale. However:
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, as listed in public technical documents, is:
- Length: 15.7 meters (51.4 ft)
- Wingspan: 10.7 meters (35 ft)
- Height: 4.38 meters (14.2 ft)
- Max takeoff weight: ~31,800 kg (70,000 lbs)
See the actual size of the F-35 in the video below:
Photo of actual F-35 jets show that it stand only slightly taller than an average adult. In contrast, the viral image shows a jet several times larger than the surrounding people, which does not match the real-world proportions of an F-35.
Furthermore, we analyzed the image using tools like SightEngine and WasItAI.com, both of which flagged it as AI-generated content. This further confirms that the image is not authentic.
Claim 2: Video of a Jet Being Shot Down
The video circulating alongside the image, claiming to show an Israeli F-35 being shot down, is also misattributed. A reverse image search confirmed that the aircraft in the footage are Russian SU-25 jets, not Israeli. Similar video was uploaded by the Warthog Production YouTube channel, which specializes in military-related content.
Moreover, the same footage was reported by global news outlets, including The Sun and TVP World.
According to Kyiv Independent, the crash may have resulted from friendly fire, meaning a Russian aircraft may have mistakenly shot down another Russian jet during combat operations. As of now, neither Russian nor Ukrainian authorities have issued official statements, and independent verification remains limited.
Claim of an Israeli F-35 Shot Down in Iran
After Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, Iranian state media, including Tasnim News Agency, reported that Iran’s air defenses shot down several Israeli F-35 fighter jets, particularly near Tabriz on June 16–17, 2025. According to these reports, Iran used its Bavar-373 missile system to intercept the aircraft and claimed that Israeli pilots were captured or missing. Various images allegedly showing crashed planes or captured pilots have spread across Iranian media and some other regional news outlets.
In stark contrast, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have categorically denied all Iranian allegations, calling them “completely baseless” and part of a broader disinformation campaign (Source). As of June 25, 2025, no independent verification has been provided by third-party military analysts, international monitoring organizations, or major Western news agencies.
Conclusion
Based on our investigation, the viral claims about an Israeli F-35 fighter jet being shot down in Iran are false. The image circulating online has been identified as AI-generated, with multiple inconsistencies that contradict known specifications of the F-35 aircraft. Additionally, the video purported to show the downing of an Israeli jet has been verified as old footage of Russian SU-25 jets, completely unrelated to any Israel-Iran conflict.
Title:Viral Image and Video are NOT Israeli F-35 Being Shot Down in Iran
Fact Check By: Cielito WangResult: False
