ISRAEL / IRAN - In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that an Israeli Air Force F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter jet shot down an Iranian Air Force Yakovlev Yak-130 over Tehran on Wednesday morning of March 04, 2026, — marking a rare and significant air-to-air engagement.
According to the IDF, the engagement occurred in Iranian airspace earlier today, with the F-35I — one of Israel’s most advanced combat aircraft — successfully detecting and destroying the Russian-made YAK-130 trainer and light attack aircraft.
The military said this incident represents the first confirmed downing of a manned aircraft by an F-35 jet, underscoring Israel’s evolving air combat capabilities in the midst of intense hostilities. It also marks the first such aerial kill by the Israeli Air Force in about 40 years, since F-15 fighters shot down Syrian jets in 1985.
The Yak-130, although primarily designed as an advanced trainer, is capable of light combat roles and is deployed by Iran for various operational purposes. Its loss over Tehran highlights the scope and intensity of aerial operations in the conflict’s newest phase.
While the IDF provided limited details on the specific engagement, Israeli officials said the F-35I operated effectively at long range, leveraging stealth, advanced sensors, and weapons to intercept and destroy the Iranian aircraft with precision.
The shootdown occurred amid a broader campaign of Israeli air strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure and leadership positions, as tensions between the two nations continue to escalate.
Tehran authorities have not yet publicly commented on the loss of the aircraft or issued an official response to the IDF claim. Independent verification of the Iranian statement is still pending as global observers await further confirmation from multiple sources.
This unprecedented air-to-air engagement reflects the increasing complexity of the conflict, as cutting-edge military hardware from both sides is employed across contested airspace.