Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted an Israeli F-16 fighter jet over central Iran early Saturday, according to reports by Iranian state-linked outlets and international media, though Israel denied any damage to its aircraft.

Iranian media outlet Press TV reported that the IRGC had “successfully intercepted” a third Israeli fighter jet, saying the aircraft was engaged at 3:45 a.m. local time using advanced air defence systems.

In a statement cited by Press TV, the IRGC said its forces have targeted more than 200 hostile aerial threats in recent weeks, including drones, cruise missiles and advanced fighter jets, highlighting what it described as enhanced monitoring and interception capabilities.

An informed source quoted by the Iran Press claimed the aircraft sustained severe damage but managed to exit Iranian airspace, adding there was no confirmed information on its final status or the fate of its pilot.

The source rejected Israeli claims that the jet was unharmed as “completely false,” according to the report.

However, the Israeli military acknowledged only that one of its aircraft came under fire from a surface-to-air missile during an operation over Iran, without specifying the type of jet.

It said the aircraft had departed from bases in Israeli-controlled territory for strikes near Tehran and maintained that “no damage was caused to the aircraft”.

According to AFP, it remains unclear whether the Iranian and Israeli statements refer to the same incident.

Iranian media also circulated an unverified image showing smoke in the sky, claiming another aircraft had been targeted.

The latest claims come amid intensifying hostilities following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which triggered a broader regional conflict.

Iran has since launched missile and drone attacks on Israeli-held territories and US bases in the region.

The reports also follow earlier Iranian claims that a US F-35 fighter jet was “hit and seriously damaged” over central Iran.

CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that a US F-35 later made an emergency landing at a regional base after being struck, though details remain unconfirmed.