#JUSTIN: Israel Confirms F-35 Airstrike Brings Down Iranian Yak-130 Over Tehran
Israeli F-35 downs Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, marking the fighter jet’s first-ever manned aircraft kill.
An Israeli Air Force F-35 fighter jet shot down a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 jet over Tehran on Wednesday, marking a historic first in both Israeli and F-35 combat history, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed. The incident comes amid an escalating conflict in the region following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israel airstrikes last week.
According to the IDF, the F-35I “Adir” successfully engaged the Iranian jet, making it the first time an F-35 has downed a manned aircraft. It is also the first air-to-air combat involving an Israeli manned fighter jet in nearly four decades, underscoring the intensifying nature of the conflict between the two nations.
The attack follows a series of strikes by Israel on Iranian targets across Tehran, aimed at security forces and paramilitary installations, including buildings associated with the Basij, the all-volunteer arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The Basij had been involved in the violent crackdown on protests earlier this year, which resulted in thousands of deaths and mass detentions.
Also Read: Iranian Red Crescent Reports Nearly 800 Deaths Amid Ongoing Strikes
Iran has responded with continuous missile and drone attacks on Israel. Despite Israel’s advanced interception systems, at least eleven people in Israel have been killed since the start of the conflict. The region remains on high alert as both sides exchange strikes amid rising civilian and military casualties.
Five days into the conflict, estimates suggest that nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran, including individuals that US President Donald Trump reportedly considered potential future leaders of the country. The situation has heightened global concerns about a wider escalation, with the conflict showing no immediate signs of de-escalation.
This engagement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, demonstrating the unprecedented use of fifth-generation fighter aircraft in air-to-air combat. Analysts warn that continued attacks on Tehran and other strategic locations could further destabilize the region and intensify international diplomatic tensions.
Also Read: #BreakingNews: Iranian Drone Targets Ras Al-Jaima Port In Oman
