In a significant military event, an Israeli stealth fighter jet successfully intercepted and destroyed a manned Iranian aircraft, showcasing Israel’s military prowess amid the ongoing conflict known as “Operation Epic Fury.” This operation has entered its fifth day, marked by intense confrontations.
The Israeli military confirmed that an F-35I fighter jet, nicknamed “Adir” or “Mighty One” in Hebrew, engaged with an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 over Tehran on Wednesday. This incident is historic, as it represents the first time a manned F-35I “Adir” fighter jet has been used to shoot down another aircraft.
This marks a notable event in Israeli military history, as the last such air-to-air combat victory occurred on November 24, 1985. During the “War of the Camps” in Lebanon, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-15 successfully downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighters, according to reports from the Times of Israel.
In this latest joint operation with the United States, Israel has confirmed extensive strikes not only in Tehran but also in other key cities. These actions are part of a broader campaign aimed at strategic targets, including command centers utilized by Iranian security forces, as reported by CNN.
Israel earlier confirmed that âbroad-scaleâ strikes were underway in Tehran, and other cities are also being bombarded as part of the Israeli and US joint operation.
Forces targeted command centers used by Iranian security forces overnight, according to CNN.
The Israeli military targeted sites linked to the Basij â an Iranian paramilitary unit â and pummeled command centers by dropping dozens of munitions.
Israeli forces are reportedly prepared for a military campaign that last weeks, but it’s unlikely there will be boots on the ground.
“We have prepared a general â scope of weeks,” Lieutenant Colonel Nadav âShoshani told reporters.
Shoshani described the idea of boots on the ground as “not a practical idea âat the âmoment.”
The military onslaught comes after it was reported that a suspected Iranian drone hit the US embassy in Riyadh on Monday.
A CIA station was targeted, two sources told the Washington Post.
The US and Saudi Governments have both confirmed the embassy was targeted, but neither has spoken out about the CIA post being hit.
Embassy staffers were told to shelter in place, and the embassy suffered âstructural damage,â according to a State Department memo sent out.
The US consulate in Dubai came under fire from a drone attack, which sparked a parking lot blaze.
No injuries were reported and the fire was contained, Dubai government officials confirmed.
More than 50,000 American troops have been deployed as part of the USâ Operation Epic Fury, which has already eliminated 2,000 targets, according to US Navy Adm. Brad Cooper
âBy order of the president of the United States and secretary of war, our military in the Middle East has undertaken an unprecedented operation to eliminate Iranâs ability to threaten Americans as theyâve been doing nearly half a century,â Cooper said in a video posted to X on Tuesday.
The US has deployed more than 50,000 troops along with 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carriers and an undisclosed number of bombers since âOperation Epic Furyâ started on Saturday.
âThese forces bring a massive amount of firepower, representing the largest buildup by the US in the Middle East in a generation,â Cooper said.
Israeli troops have been sent into southern Lebanon and have been stationed close to the border.
Strikes in Beirut and in a residential complex in the east of the country have left at least 11 dead.
With Post wires
