Tasnim Agency: Reports Claim Israeli Warplane Shot Down Over Tehran, Female Pilot Allegedly Captured

Tasnim News Agency has reported that Iranian air defences succeeded in shooting down two Israeli fighter jets in the skies above Tehran during a recent escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict. The report, which is still unconfirmed by official sources, claims that the pilot of one of the aircraft—a woman—was captured alive.

While Tasnim did not disclose further details, nor has any footage been released, the Israeli occupation army has officially denied the claim, stating that no aircraft was downed and no pilot was taken prisoner.

Despite the denial, the allegation has spread rapidly across regional media outlets, fuelling speculation about the scale of Iran’s air defence capabilities and the potential psychological impact on the Zionist military establishment.

Ballistic Retaliation: Iran Strikes Deep Inside Tel Aviv

Friday night marked the beginning of Iran’s direct military response to Israeli aggression, with waves of ballistic missiles targeting strategic sites in Tel Aviv. The attack came after Israeli forces carried out broad, coordinated strikes on Iranian territory, hitting nuclear and military facilities and reportedly assassinating several high-ranking officials and scientists.

According to Israeli media sources, the Iranian retaliation consisted of three distinct waves, some of which struck the Israeli Ministry of War (Kirya) and surrounding areas. No comprehensive damage assessment has yet been released by Israeli authorities.

Explosions, Fires, and Censorship: The Aftermath in Tel Aviv

Widespread footage shared online showed scenes of blazing fires, loud explosions, and panic across Tel Aviv, though Israeli state media has largely downplayed or censored direct coverage of the aftermath.

Media platforms such as Walla have reported casualties in the central Gush Dan area, a heavily populated zone that includes key military and government infrastructure. Reports suggest that Israel’s missile interception systems failed to block several incoming rockets, allowing direct hits on sensitive targets.

High Alert Across the Occupation

In response, the Israeli army issued a formal statement confirming missile launches from Iran, calling them the initial phase of a larger retaliatory campaign. The army, along with Israeli intelligence services, also revealed Iran’s apparent preparation to launch over 100 ballistic missiles, triggering emergency protocols.

Air raid sirens were heard across multiple regions in the occupied territories, with authorities urging settlers to remain in bunkers and safe rooms.

Rising Stakes in the Iran-Israel Showdown

While the alleged capture of an Israeli pilot remains unconfirmed, its circulation in global and regional media signals a growing perception of Israeli vulnerability. At the same time, Iran’s bold strikes on Tel Aviv have broken long-standing red lines, asserting the Islamic Republic’s capability and willingness to respond forcefully.

As regional tensions intensify, the broader message from Tehran is clear:

Zionist aggression will be met with direct, strategic consequences—no matter who supports it.

This moment may mark a new phase in the confrontation, where the illusion of Israeli military supremacy begins to fracture, and the region edges closer to a decisive shift in the balance of power.