Israel has claimed that it destroyed an aircraft used by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, at an airport in Tehran. According to reports, Israeli authorities said the plane linked to Khamenei was hit and destroyed during the operation.
Israel has said its air force destroyed an aircraft used by Iranian leadership during a strike at Mehrabad International Airport. According to the Israeli Air Force, the operation targeted a plane linked to Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The claim was shared in a post on the social media platform X. Israeli officials described the aircraft as an important strategic asset used by senior Iranian officials.
Aircraft described as key logistical and diplomatic tool
According to the Israeli military, the aircraft was regularly used by Khamenei and other senior officials from the Iranian leadership. It was reportedly used for both domestic and international travel.
Officials said the plane played an important role in military procurement and diplomatic coordination. The aircraft was also used to maintain relations with allied countries and groups that Israel refers to as “Axis” partners.
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Israeli officials claimed the plane helped Iran maintain coordination with regional allies and manage military activities across the region.
Israel says destruction weakens coordination network
In its statement, the Israeli air force said the destruction of the aircraft would reduce Iran’s ability to coordinate with allied groups and rebuild military power.
Military officials said the plane helped Iranian leadership maintain communication and planning with partners in the region. They added that removing the aircraft would disrupt this coordination.
According to the Israeli statement, the strike removed what it called “another strategic asset” used by the Iranian leadership.
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Strike part of wider Israeli air campaign
The strike on the aircraft was part of a much larger Israeli air operation. According to the Israeli military, more than 200 targets were hit across western and central Iran within the past day.
The operation reportedly targeted several types of military infrastructure. These included missile systems, defence installations and operational headquarters.
Officials said some of the targets were buildings where Iranian military personnel were operating. Other targets included facilities used for the production and storage of weapons and military equipment.
Focus on missile and air defence systems
Israeli military officials said the strikes are part of an ongoing campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s ballistic missile network and air defence systems. The air force said its operations have focused on locations believed to be linked to missile production, storage and launch capabilities.
Officials added that the campaign aims to reduce Iran’s ability to conduct or support military operations through these systems.
Advanced fighter jets used in the mission
To carry out the long-range operations, Israel used some of its most advanced fighter aircraft. The Israeli air force earlier released footage showing stealth jets heading towards Iran. In the video shared online, the aircraft were identified as Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir fighter jets. The jets are a specialised version of the F-35 stealth aircraft used by Israel.
The post described the jets as heading towards Iran for strike missions, highlighting the scale and reach of the ongoing operations.
Tensions continue to rise in the region
The reported strike and the wider air campaign come at a time of rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Military activity between the two sides has increased in recent weeks, with repeated strikes reported against military targets and infrastructure.
Israeli officials say the operations are aimed at weakening Iran’s military networks and reducing its ability to coordinate with allied groups in the region. Further details about damage on the ground or possible responses from Iran have not yet been officially confirmed.
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Israeli forces begin limited ground operations in southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday that it has begun what it described as limited and targeted ground operations against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, troops from the 91st Division have entered selected areas close to the border as part of what officials called defensive actions.
The army said the operations are focused on dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure and removing what it described as immediate threats to communities in northern Israel. Military officials said the activity is aimed at strengthening a forward defensive zone along the border.
Before ground troops moved in, Israeli forces carried out artillery fire and air strikes through the Israeli Air Force to weaken Hezbollah positions. The military said these actions targeted locations believed to be used by fighters operating near the border. Israel said the operations are part of wider defensive measures intended to protect civilians living in northern towns and villages.
The conflict in the border region intensified after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel on March 2, saying it was responding to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint strikes carried out by Israel and the United States. Following those attacks, Israel launched a series of air raids across southern Lebanon and later sent troops into certain border areas. Military officials say the current ground operations are carefully targeted and limited in scope.
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Israel says Hezbollah expanding attacks near the border
Israeli military officials say the latest ground operations were launched after they observed increased activity by Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon. According to Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani, the group has recently expanded its operations and is firing hundreds of rockets toward Israel. He said intelligence reports indicated that Hezbollah had moved a large number of fighters into the southern region, including members of the elite Radwan unit.
Israeli officials claim these fighters were preparing for more attacks on Israeli communities along the border. Shoshani told reporters that the current ground operations are focused on specific locations where Hezbollah is believed to be operating. He said Israeli troops had entered new areas where they were not present the previous day. According to him, the aim is to remove threats that could target Israeli civilians. The spokesman also said the military would continue the operations for as long as necessary to secure the border area.
In recent days, Hezbollah has reported attacking Israeli forces gathering near the frontier and targeting military movements in several border towns. The group has also claimed direct clashes with Israeli forces in the town of Khiam. The town lies just across the border from the Israeli community of Metula and has become one of the main flashpoints in the current fighting.
Fighting intensifies as strikes and displacement increase
The Israeli military carried out several strikes before launching the ground operations, targeting bridges and roads that connect southern Lebanon to other parts of the country. Israeli officials said these strikes were aimed at limiting movement by Hezbollah fighters and preventing the transfer of weapons and supplies. Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel has issued evacuation warnings for large areas of southern Lebanon.
These warnings cover regions that stretch more than forty kilometres from the Israeli border. Lebanese authorities say the humanitarian impact of the conflict is growing. According to government officials in Lebanon, Israeli strikes have killed around 850 people since the current war began. They also say more than 830,000 residents have registered as displaced after fleeing their homes.
At the same time, Hezbollah and Iran have launched coordinated rocket and missile attacks against Israel in recent days. Israeli officials say they will not evacuate residents from northern Israel, unlike during the major war with Hezbollah in 2024 when tens of thousands of people were moved from border communities.
Despite a ceasefire reached in November 2024, Israel had continued frequent air strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Israeli officials also said there are currently no direct talks planned with Lebanon to end the fighting, which has now continued for more than two weeks.
(With inputs from agencies)
