In a major escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a series of precise airstrikes against six Iranian military airbases in the western, eastern, and central parts of Iran. The operation destroyed 15 Iranian military jets, including combat aircraft and helicopters, and caused significant damage to strategic infrastructure, according to the IDF.
As is in accord with the official claim of the IDF, the Israeli military pounded several strategic locations such as runways, underground bunkers, missile depots, and fuel stations. Among the airports targeted by the attacks were Tehran’s (Mehrabad), Mashhad, and Dezful airports, among others. The aircraft destroyed during the attack were F-14s, F-5s, and AH-1 attack helicopters, which were reportedly used against Israel’s military targets.
The IDF struck six Iranian regime airports in an attempt to expand air superiority over Iranian airspace, the Israeli military said in a post written in Hebrew. The post translated says,”The Air Force attacked six airbases of the Iranian regime in the west, east, and center of Iran as part of the effort to undermine Iran’s air power.
The attacks hit missile launchers, underground drone launch sites, drone depots, and fighter jets, including F-4, F-5, F-14, and AH-1 helicopters belonging to the Iranian regime.”
The IDF highlighted the operation was defensive as well as pre-emptive. Israeli intelligence reports indicated that some of the airbases that were attacked were capable of launching surface-to-surface missiles against Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces also reported the strikes had interrupted Iran’s capability to launch aircraft and lessened the strength of its air force.
Earlier Incidents
This military strike is one day after Iran fired a barrage of missiles against strategic Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa, in retaliation for Sunday’s U.S. air strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites. The reciprocal exchange of attacks increased threats of an expanded regional war, with many countries now urging restraint.
