An Israeli F-35I shot down a yak-130 in the first fighter jet dogfight of the war, the Israel Defense Forces announced at 10: 30 a. m. ET on Wednesday. The IDF said the engagement marked the first manned aerial kill in the conflict and came amid a broader campaign of strikes across Iran. The action follows strikes the IDF carried out on Iranian F-4 and F-5 fighters that were preparing to take off on Sunday morning ET.
Yak-130: role and capability
The Israel Defense Forces described the jet downed by an F-35I as a Russian-made Yak-130 that entered production in the 1990s. The IDF noted the platform is generally used as an advanced trainer for pilots of more advanced aircraft but can be configured for attack missions. The military framed the engagement as part of efforts to control aerial threats and limit Iranian aircraft operations near key targets.
Footage and wider strikes across Iran
The IDF released video showing strikes on Iranian fighters that were preparing to take off at an airport in Tabriz on Sunday morning ET, hitting both an F-4 and an F-5 directly. The United States named its campaign Operation Epic Fury, while Israel named its part of the campaign Operation Roaring Lion; both governments said the operations are aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities. The IDF also released footage it said targeted multiple Iranian air defenses as part of the effort to establish aerial superiority.
Immediate reactions and official statements
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) characterized the strikes as steps to expand the degradation of Iran’s aerial defenses, stating the attacks “were conducted to degrade the Iranian Air Force’s activities and to further expand the degradation of their aerial defense. ” The United States said the operations are aimed at crippling Iran’s military. The British Royal Air Force highlighted that its F-35B recorded a confirmed combat kill in the campaign, calling the interception “the first time an RAF F-35 has destroyed a target on operations. ” All time references above are given in Eastern Time (ET).
Quick context: The Yak-130 entered production in the 1990s and serves primarily as an advanced trainer but can be armed for attack missions. The IDF’s announcement at 10: 30 a. m. ET on Wednesday framed the engagement as a turning point in aerial control during the campaign.
What’s next
Military officials from the IDF and partner forces signaled operations will continue in coming days as they press to maintain air superiority. Analysts and commanders will watch whether Iran fields additional combat-configured jets after these strikes, and coalition forces say follow-on targeting of air defenses and aircraft remains likely. The fate of any remaining yak-130s in the conflict zone will be a key factor shaping the next phase of operations.
