‘Black Day’ for US and Israeli Air Forces: Iran Destroys Fighter Jets, Missiles, and Drones in Single Day

Iranian armed forces reported a significant military achievement on Friday, claiming to have downed two fighter jets, two missiles, and three drones in a single day, calling it a “black day” for American and Israeli air forces.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) stated that its Aerospace Defense Force successfully intercepted two cruise missiles over Khomein and Zanjan. In addition, two MQ-9 attack drones were shot down over Isfahan and one Hermes drone over Bushehr.

The IRGC emphasized that these operations were executed using Iran’s advanced air defense system integrated across the nation. In a separate engagement, an enemy fighter jet was destroyed over central Iran, with reports indicating the pilot failed to eject safely.

The Iranian Army also claimed to have shot down an American A-10 Warthog over southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz. “The aircraft was tracked and engaged by the Army Air Defense Force’s systems, and subsequently crashed into the Persian Gulf,” the Army confirmed.

The IRGC highlighted that these actions demonstrate Iran’s growing air defense capabilities, warning that “the skies of Iran will become increasingly unsafe for the fighter jets of the aggressor enemy.”

These incidents are part of Iran’s ongoing retaliatory operations against the US and Israel, particularly targeting military and civilian infrastructure following acts of aggression. Operation True Promise 4, initiated after the February 28 attacks, has included 93 waves of missile and drone strikes on US and Israeli positions across West Asia.

In recent weeks, Iran achieved an unprecedented success by targeting the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter using the Majid infrared-guided system, marking a major milestone in countering US air superiority. The Iranian defenses have also downed numerous F-15s, F-16s, F-18s, and over 150 drones, significantly impacting the US military’s surveillance and strike operations in the region.