Historic first: Israeli F-35I shot down Iranian fighter jet over Tehran

2026-03-04 - 10:28

An Israeli Air Force F-35I "Adir" shot down an Iranian YAK-130 combat aircraft over the skies of Tehran, the IDF spokesperson announced. The engagement marked the first time in history that a crewed fighter jet was shot down by an F-35 in operational combat. The YAK-130 is an advanced trainer aircraft manufactured in Russia, designed to prepare pilots for flight on Moscow's most advanced combat jets, such as the SU-57. The aircraft is also capable of carrying a relatively large munitions payload, including air-to-air missiles. Iran holds at least eight aircraft of this type, transferred to it by Russia in 2023 as part of preparations to integrate advanced Russian-made combat jets into the Iranian Air Force.  Video: Strike on three Iranian soldiers and an Iranian Army MI-17 combat helicopter. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit The last time an Israeli aircraft downed an enemy jet in aerial combat was on November 24, 1985, during a dogfight over Lebanon. In that engagement, an Israeli Air Force F-15 "Baz" shot down two Syrian MiG-23s. Nearly 40 years have passed without the Israeli Air Force recording another aerial kill.