'Fake news': Israel denies Iranian claim that it shot down two F-35 jets
By Michael Drummond, foreign news reporter
As Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure on Friday, a claim emerged from Iran's army that its air defences had shot down two Israeli F-35 fighter jets.
It would be the first time ever that one of the advanced stealth jets - which are also used by the US and UK - had been shot down.
However Israel has branded the report 'fake news'. Here's what has been reported:
The claim by Iran
Iran's army said air defence forces "successfully hit and destroyed two F-35 fighter jets" in addition to a "large number of small drones".
The spokesperson added that the fate of the two pilots "remains unknown and is being investigated".
It does not appear that Iran has provided any evidence for the claim so far, though theoretically this could emerge at a later time.
What is the F-35?
The F-35, built by defence company Lockheed Martin and flown by the US and a number of its allies, is one of the most advanced warplanes in the world.
It's one of just four fifth-generation fighter planes currently in service (the US and NATO allies have two, China has one and Russia has one) and features advanced stealth capabilities.
It is known for its ability to evade enemy radar - making it harder for air defences to track and target it - and can reportedly reach speeds of about Mach 1.6 (1,200 mph).
Why would the claim, if true, be significant?
Any verified incidents of an F-35 being shot down in combat would be significant purely because it has never happened before.
If Iranian air defences were able to bring down an F-35 it would raise questions about the F-35's status as a stealth fighter that can fool enemy radar.
Among the air defences believed to be operational in Iran is the Russian-made S-300.
Any loss of an F-35 to a Russian-manufactured system would also create additional concerns for the NATO alliance, many of whose members (including the UK) operate the stealth jet.
Watch: A Jordanian fighter jet shoots down an Iranian drone on Saturday
What does Israel say?
Israel has denied the claims of two F-35 jets being shot down.
Speaking on Saturday afternoon, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani called it 'fake news'.
He added on social media: "Iran didn鈥檛 shoot down any Israeli fighter jets. They are trying to create a fake victory narrative and it鈥檚 not going very well."
An IDF official said all aircraft and personnel had returned safely from missions.
鈥淒efinitely no F-35s taken down, definitely no pilots taken," they added.