Israel says its F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter jet has shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft over Tehran, marking the first ever air-to-air kill by an F-35 in combat. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the interception happened during ongoing Israeli air operations targeting Iranian missile and military infrastructure. The historic shootdown also marks the first time in nearly four decades that the Israeli Air Force has engaged and destroyed a manned enemy aircraft in aerial combat. The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is considered one of the most advanced stealth fighter jets in the world, equipped with cutting-edge sensors, radar systems, and low-observability technology that allows it to detect and destroy threats before being seen. 

Israel has launched a preemptive military operation dubbed “Rising Lion,” targeting strategic sites in Tehran, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile fire toward Israeli territory. Air raid sirens and emergency alerts have been activated across Israel as both nations signal heightened defensive readiness, marking one of the most serious escalations in the region in recent years. WATCH