The Islamic Republic News Agency of Iran reported on the 17th that Iranian air defense forces shot down 28 enemy targets over the past 24 hours using electronic interception, missile, and artillery systems.
The report stated that the downed enemy targets included an "Hermes" drone attempting to reconnaissance sensitive areas of Iran.
4th Israeli F-35 Aircraft Shot Down
The news agency also cited Farshi, the head of the East Azerbaijan Province Crisis Management Center, reporting that Iranian armed forces' air defense systems shot down an Israeli F-35 fighter jet over the northwestern city of Tabriz.
The report claimed that this was the fourth Israeli F-35 fighter jet shot down by Iranian air defense systems, but it did not mention the specific time of this incident.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on the 17th, stating that over 70 Iranian air defense systems had been destroyed by the Israeli Air Force so far.
The statement revealed that since the operation against Iran began early on the 13th, the Israeli Air Force has destroyed over 70 Iranian air defense systems. Within the first 24 hours of the operation alone, more than 40 systems were eliminated, allowing the Israeli forces to achieve air superiority in western Iran and the capital Tehran. Israeli drones continue to conduct reconnaissance and strike surface-to-air missile launchers and radar systems across Iran.
Additionally, according to a latest statement by the Israeli Government Press Office, as of 4 PM local time on the 17th (9 PM Malaysian time), Iran had launched about 400 missiles towards Israel during the current conflict. The Israeli side has identified 35 missile strike locations. The attacks have resulted in 24 deaths and 647 injuries.