Iran Acknowledges False Claims About Israeli F-35 Jets During June Conflict

Iran's state broadcaster has publicly acknowledged that it falsely reported the downing of two Israeli F-35 fighter jets during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025. Peyman Jabali, the head of the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation, stated that the erroneous claim was based on unreliable information from a military official. During a speech at Beheshti University in Tehran, Jabali admitted, "We reported what we received as it was, but then it turned out that the information was not correct." He emphasized the importance of verifying sources before broadcasting information, particularly regarding sensitive military matters.

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The conflict, which began on June 13, 2025, was marked by Israel's "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Iranian military sites and infrastructure. Iran retaliated with "Operation Honest Promise 3," launching ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli targets. The confrontation resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of Revolutionary Guard commanders, and damage to both Iranian and Israeli infrastructure. On June 22, the United States intervened with B-2 bomber raids on Iranian nuclear sites, escalating the conflict further. A ceasefire was announced by President Donald Trump on June 24, 2025.

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Jabali criticized the "rhetoric of weakness" within Iran, suggesting it contributed to the dissemination of inaccurate information. He stated that the rush to publish unverified claims is detrimental to the credibility of media organizations. The initial reports of the F-35s being shot down were met with skepticism, as no confirmed instances of such aircraft being downed in conflict have been documented.

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In response to the fallout from the false report, Jabali highlighted the need for media organizations to rely on clear official statements before broadcasting claims. He noted that the incident has damaged the broadcaster's credibility and called for a more cautious approach in reporting military information.

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• “We reported what we received as it was, but then it turned out that the information was not correct,” — Peyman Jabali, Head of the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation

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• “Being quick to publish unconfirmed information "is not an advantage," Jabali said, particularly regarding the deaths of military officers or commanders.” — Peyman Jabali, Head of the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation

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While Jabali's admission clarifies the false claims regarding the F-35s, there remains a lack of comprehensive details about the overall impact of the June conflict, including specific casualty figures and the extent of damage to military infrastructure on both sides. Additionally, the broader implications of the conflict for regional stability and future Iranian-Israeli relations are yet to be fully assessed.

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