An Israeli Air Force aircraft struck and destroyed two Iranian F-14 fighter jets at an airport in Tehran, IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin revealed in a press conference on Tuesday.
The IDF published footage of the strike on its official account, with the caption: “RECAP of Our Recent Operations Over Tehran: Strike on two F-14 fighter jets that were located at an airport in Tehran. These jets were intended to intercept Israeli aircraft. Thwarted a UAV launch attempt toward Israel. Eliminated a launch cell minutes before launch toward Israel after intelligence tracked and identified its launch team deploying UAV launchers and weapons.”
Iran continues to operate American-made F-14 Tomcat fighter jets, which were delivered prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution. These aircraft are the last of their kind still in active service.
Moreover, the IDF aired footage of a strike on Iranian soldiers who were preparing to launch drones at Israel. Video showed a strike on containers where drones were stored.
The military also shared the video of the strike on Iran’s state broadcaster building in Tehran earlier.
Meanwhile, Iran has claimed that they have shot down another F-35 fighter aircraft. “Another F35 shot down in Tabriz by Iranian Air defences,” reported Reuters, quoting Iran’s state-run Nour News.
NETANYAHU SAYS KILLING KHAMENEI WOULD END WAR
Earlier in an interview with ABC News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would end the conflict between the two countries. He also defended Israel’s ongoing military actions against Iran, adding they are aimed at ending the conflict rather than escalating it.
His remarks come after reports that US President Donald Trump had previously vetoed an Israeli plan to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, fearing it could worsen the conflict. A senior Trump administration official, as per Reuters, said earlier, “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do, we’re not even talking about going after the political leadership.”
When asked about the reported plan, Netanyahu did not deny it while talking to ABC News. He instead said, “It’s not going to escalate the conflict, it’s going to end the conflict.”
He reiterated that Iran has long been a destabilising force in the region. “We’ve had half a century of conflict spread by this regime that terrorises everyone in the Middle East, and has bombed the Aramco oil fields in Saudi Arabia. It is spreading terrorism and subversion and sabotage everywhere,” Netanyahu said.
With inputs from Reuters
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