TEHRAN – Russian Defense Ministry has termed the reports about Israelistealth fighter jets ‘outsmarting’ Russian radars in Syria ‘total rubbish’.
The information published in a number of mass media outlets with referenceto a foreign source, that ‘Israeli fighters deceived the Russian radarsin Syria and conducted reconnaissance at a high altitude’ is a totalstupidity,” the source said as quoted by Sputnik news.
According to the source, the Russian air defense systems deployed in Syria“reliably protect” Russian military facilities in Tartus and Hmeimim.
Two Israeli F-35 fighter jets entered Iranian airspace over the past month,without being noticed by the surveillance system of Iran, Kuwaitinewspaper Al-Jarida reported on Thursday.
The aerial movement which appears to be a precursor of a major diplomaticrow between the two countries has not been confirmed by Knesset, however,according to well-placed sources quoted by the paper, the fighters flewover Syrian and Iraqi airspace to reach Iran.
According to the spine-chilling report, the aircrafts went a mile more andeven targeted locations in the Iranian cities Bandar Abbas, Esfahan andShiraz.
“In a move that reflects regional tensions and comes in the midst ofinformation about a plan for the US and Israeli military strike in Syriathat will include Iranian positions there or possibly infect Iran itself,Al-Jarida learned from an informed source that two highly advanced F35fighter jets Iran this month,” said the report.
It further implied that the aerial vehicles circled at high altitude abovePersian Gulf sites suspected of being associated with the Iranian nuclearprogram.
What sparked concerns after the report was published is the assumption thatthe movement by IAF was overlooked by Russian radar system located in Syria.
It is still unknown whether the Israeli fighters were in touch withUS counterpart or the operation was done in an individual capacity.
The source added that the seven F-35 fighters in active service in the IAFhave conducted a number of missions in Syria and on the Lebanese-Syrianborder underlining that the fighter jets can travel from Israel to Irantwice without refuelling.
Although Israel’s action has not been confirmed by Tehran, the act, ifproven, is a signal of heightened regional tensions, especially in thebackdrop of recent Israeli military attacks in Syria, including againstIranian bases in the country.