The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that an F-35I “Adir” fighter jet shot down a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran during a tenth wave of large-scale airstrikes. Military officials stated this marks the first time in history that an F-35 has downed a manned fighter jet in combat. The aerial engagement occurred as Israel targeted Iranian internal security and Basij command centers used to maintain domestic control. While Iranian state media reported violent explosions in eastern Tehran, the IDF confirmed this is their first manned air-to-air kill in nearly 40 years. The operation remains part of an extensive campaign against the infrastructure of the Iranian regime.
epa12793754 An Iranian man cleans the damage to his residential building in central Tehran, Iran, 04 March 2026. A joint Israeli and US military operation continues to target multiple locations across Iran since the early hours of 28 February 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH