An F-35 shoots down Iranian jet for the first time in aviation history, according to Israel’s military.
The Israel Defense Forces said Wednesday that an Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter destroyed a manned Iranian aircraft during air-to-air combat over Tehran.
The downed aircraft was identified as a Russian-made Yak-130 jet operated by the Iranian Air Force.
Historic Air Combat Milestone
The IDF announced the strike in a public statement posted online.
“This is the first shootdown in history of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 ‘Adir’ fighter jet,” the Israeli military said.
The F-35I, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a modified version of the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter used by Israel’s air force.
Until now, F-35 jets had only destroyed unmanned targets such as drones.
Part of “Operation Epic Fury”
The aerial battle took place as Israel and the United States continue large-scale strikes inside Iran under the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury.
Israeli forces said they carried out broad attacks across Tehran overnight, targeting command centers tied to Iran’s security forces.
Some of the targeted facilities were linked to the Basij, a paramilitary group connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Information about the Israeli military structure is available through the Israel Defense Forces official website.
First Israeli Air-to-Air Kill in Decades
The last time Israeli fighter jets shot down another manned aircraft occurred more than four decades ago.
In November 1985, Israeli F-15 jets destroyed two Syrian MiG-23 aircraft during fighting connected to the Lebanon conflict.
Defense analysts say the latest shootdown marks a major milestone in modern aerial warfare involving stealth aircraft.
War Expands Across the Region
The shootdown comes as the wider conflict continues to intensify.
The United States has deployed more than 50,000 troops to the region as part of the operation. Military officials say the campaign has already targeted more than 2,000 sites connected to Iranian military capabilities.
U.S. forces have also deployed approximately 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carriers, and multiple long-range bombers to support the mission.
Attacks Spread Beyond Iran
Hostilities have also spread across neighboring countries.
Earlier this week, a drone strike targeted the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing structural damage but no injuries. A separate drone attack sparked a fire near the U.S. consulate in Dubai.
American diplomats were instructed to shelter in place while security teams assessed the damage.
Conflict May Continue for Weeks
Israeli military officials say the campaign against Iranian targets could last weeks.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani told reporters that the operation was designed as an extended air campaign rather than a ground invasion.
“Boots on the ground is not a practical idea at the moment,” he said.
As both sides escalate attacks across the Middle East, military analysts warn the conflict could reshape the region’s balance of power.