An Israeli stealth fighter jet has reportedly shot down an Iranian warplane in what officials say is a historic first for the aircraft model.
According to the Israeli military, an Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” fighter downed a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 jet over Tehran during ongoing military operations linked to the 2026 Iran conflict.
Military officials say the incident marks the first time an F-35 has destroyed a manned fighter aircraft in combat anywhere in the world, a milestone for the stealth jet that has previously been used mainly against drones, missiles and ground targets.
Reports ind
icate the Iranian aircraft shot down was a Yak-130, a subsonic jet used for training and light combat missions that had been supplied to Iran by Russia.
The development comes amid an escalating regional conflict that began days earlier, with Israel launching large-scale airstrikes targeting Iranian missile launchers, air-defense systems and military infrastructure.
The Israeli military said the aerial engagement occurred as its forces continued operations over Iranian territory. Analysts say the event is significant not only because of the aircraft involved but also because it represents one of the rare instances of modern air-to-air combat between crewed fighter jets in the region in decades.
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for advanced air combat and precision strikes. Several countries operate the aircraft, and Israel flies a customized variant known as the F-35I “Adir.”
The downing of the Iranian jet is expected to draw global attention as the conflict intensifies and military powers increase their presence across the Mid East.
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