Tehran/Jerusalem, March 21 (NationPress) The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran declared on Saturday that it successfully targeted an Israeli F-16 Fighting Falcon within the nation's central airspace.

According to a statement from its official platform, Sepah News, the IRGC reported that the aircraft was hit at 3:45 a.m. local time by the air defense systems of its Aerospace Division.

The IRGC further stated that Iran's armed forces have effectively tracked and intercepted over 200 hostile aerial entities, including drones, cruise missiles, and fighter jets, since the onset of hostilities with the US and Israel last month, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

In contrast, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement on Saturday confirming that they executed a significant series of strikes in Tehran overnight, aimed at IRGC facilities responsible for manufacturing crucial components for ballistic missiles.

The IDF asserted that these strikes have severely compromised Iran's capacity to produce essential missile components.

Previously, on February 28, joint operations by Israel and the US targeted Tehran and several Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with high-ranking military officials and civilians.

In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missile and drone assaults directed at Israeli and US military bases and assets throughout the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday that Iran is pursuing “not a ceasefire, but a complete, thorough, and enduring end to the conflict,” as reported by Kyodo News.

In an interview with Kyodo News on Friday, Araghchi characterized the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “an unlawful, unprovoked act of aggression,” urging the global community to oppose such actions.

He emphasized that while various nations are attempting to mediate a resolution to the conflict, Iran remains opposed to temporary ceasefires, insisting that any agreement must ensure protection against future assaults and provide compensation for the damages incurred during the conflict, as per Xinhua's report citing Kyodo News.

Araghchi also noted that while diplomatic discussions are in progress, the United States has yet to show its willingness to pursue a sincere resolution.

The report also highlighted Tehran's readiness to facilitate the transit of Japanese vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy transportation, with ongoing negotiations with Japan regarding this matter.

Simultaneously, Araghchi issued a stern warning to the United Kingdom on Saturday, indicating that Tehran would respond if British involvement in the ongoing conflict intensifies.

In a post on X, Araghchi stated, “The vast majority of the British populace does not wish to participate in the Israel-US war against Iran. By disregarding his own constituents, Mr. Starmer endangers British lives by permitting UK bases to be utilized for aggression against Iran. Iran will assert its right to self-defense.”

This statement emerges amidst escalating tensions following reports that US forces have been authorized to use British military installations. Officials noted that Araghchi communicated similar concerns during a telephone conversation with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, cautioning that such collaboration would be interpreted as “participation in aggression” against Iran.

However, the UK government has responded firmly. In the same discussion, Cooper warned Iran against targeting “UK bases, territory, or interests,” stressing the potential for further escalation.