Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Thursday that it struck a U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet over central Iran, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that military operations against Iran would last "as long as necessary," Reuters reports.
In a statement released on Thursday, the IRGC said it had launched the 65th wave of its Operation True Promise-4, targeting oil refineries in Haifa and Ashdod in Israel, alongside security and military support facilities in the region.
The operation marked the first combat deployment of Iran's upgraded Qader cruise missile.
According to the IRGC, its missile arsenal also targeted key U.S.-linked installations across the Gulf, including the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the Isa Air Base in Bahrain, and the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
In another statement, the IRGC said its advanced air defense systems intercepted and severely damaged a U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet at about 02:50 Thursday.
While the aircraft's status remains under investigation, the IRGC indicated it likely crashed.
The IRGC emphasized that the successful interception of the F-35, following the downing of over 125 U.S. and Israeli drones, demonstrates effective and targeted improvements to its air defense capabilities.
In a statement issued on early Friday, the IRGC claimed that it had launched the 66th round of its Operation True Promise-4, during which it had used various types of ultra-heavy multi-warhead missiles and drones to strike targets in central and southern Israel, as well as U.S. military bases across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Thursday night that it had conducted strikes on over 130 targets in western and central Iran in the past day, including ballistic missile launchers, drone facilities, and air defense systems.
The IDF said these operations aim to expand Israeli aerial superiority over Iranian territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said at a press conference on Thursday that Iran has lost its uranium enrichment and missile production capabilities.
Regarding Israel's strike on an Iranian natural gas field in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, Netanyahu confirmed earlier remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel had not informed the United States before the attack.
As for the duration of the ongoing war, Netanyahu said it would last "as long as necessary", adding that it would end "much faster than people think".
When meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on Thursday, Trump said that he will not put troops in Iran despite the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is escalating.
He also said that he had asked Netanyahu to refrain from attacking Iranian energy infrastructure, adding that the Israeli prime minister had "agreed" to the request.
