"The US Was Greatly Shocked" Iran: Domestic Air Defense System Hit American F-35 Fighter Jet, Will Showcase New Capabilities to Counter Enemies in the Future!

Israel Defense Forces issued a statement early on the 22nd saying that the military is striking “Iranian regime targets” in central Tehran. The statement did not provide further details.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on the 22nd, a spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces said that if Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure are attacked, all energy, information technology, and freshwater facilities belonging to the United States and Israel in the Middle East will become targets.

Previously, U.S. President Trump issued a threat to Iran, demanding that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face the destruction of all its power plants.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the evening of the 21st saying that Saudi Arabia has notified the Iranian ambassador, military attaché, assistant military attaché, and three other embassy members that they are “persona non grata” and must leave Saudi Arabia within 24 hours.

The statement condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, and said, “We will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to defend sovereignty and ensure national security.”

Iran claims domestically produced air defense system hit U.S. F-35 fighter jet

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on the 21st, an Iranian domestically produced air defense system shot down an American F-35 fighter jet.

The report quoted a military source from Iran as saying, “The U.S. previously showcased the F-35 as a proud achievement of its military technology, but this attack on the F-35 was carried out by Iran’s air defense system.” The source stated that the U.S. and Israel believed no air defense system could track and shoot down the F-35, but Iran’s domestically produced system surprised them.

The source also said that in the coming days, Iran will demonstrate new capabilities to counter enemies.

On the 19th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had hit a U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet, causing serious damage. CNN reported that on the 19th, a U.S. F-35 reportedly made an emergency landing after being hit by Iranian fire.

Early on the 22nd, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying that during Operation “Real Commitment-4” phase 73, Iran used missiles and drones to strike multiple locations in Israel.

Iran claimed to have hit sites in southern Israel including Arad, Dimona, Eilat, Beersheba, and Kiryat Gat, with some military facilities and security centers attacked.

Additionally, Iran used “Fateh,” “Qader,” and “Emad” missiles, as well as drones, to strike U.S. military bases in Ali Salim Air Base in Kuwait, Minhad Air Base in the UAE, and Zafarana Air Base.

On the 21st, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that at 3:45 a.m. local time, Iran’s new air defense system shot down a third Israeli aircraft (model F-16) in central Iran.

△ Israeli F-16 fighter jet (photo)

It is reported that in the first three weeks of the war, Iran successfully intercepted and destroyed over 200 aircraft, including drones, cruise missiles, refueling aircraft, and top-tier fighters.

U.S. military bases suffered approximately $800 million in losses due to Iranian attacks

According to CCTV News citing BBC on the 21st, recent analysis shows that in the first two weeks of the U.S.-Israel military strikes against Iran, Iran’s counterattacks on U.S. military infrastructure in the Middle East had already caused about $800 million in losses to the U.S.

One of the most severely damaged U.S. military assets is a “THAAD” missile defense radar system located at the Jordan Air Force Base.

U.S. Department of Defense budget documents show that the damaged radar system cost approximately $485 million. Attacks on U.S. bases and various military facilities in the Middle East have also caused losses exceeding $300 million. The “THAAD” missile defense systems at multiple U.S. locations in the Middle East have been targeted, but the specific losses are still being assessed.

The UK states that although the full extent of Iran’s counterattack damage to U.S. military infrastructure is not yet fully known, it is clear that as the conflict continues, the U.S. is paying a high price, and the damage caused by Iran’s counterattacks to U.S. bases is only a small part of the overall war costs.

According to UK reports on the 19th, the U.S. Department of Defense claimed that in the first six days of the U.S.-Israel military strikes against Iran, the U.S. had spent $11.3 billion, but in reality, U.S. military spending in the first six days of the conflict was at least $12.7 billion. President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed on the 19th that the Department of Defense would request an additional approximately $200 billion in Congress to support operations against Iran.

IDF states that military operations against Iran are “halfway” and will continue to take proactive actions

On the evening of the 21st, IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi stated that the large-scale military operation launched jointly with the U.S. against Iran “is halfway through.”

Kochavi said that after three weeks of military action, the IDF has caused “broad weakening” of Iran, gradually accumulating “systemic achievements” in military, economic, and governmental levels. Iran’s current situation is more dangerous, with a “lack of effective air defense capabilities.” He stated, “We are halfway there, but the direction is clear… We will continue to fight for our freedom and future.”

Kochavi also said he approved a plan for the northern command to maintain a “frontline defense posture,” with the IDF taking the initiative to strike and preemptively eliminate targets that pose a threat to civilians in Israel.

(Source: Daily Economic News)