The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed that an F-35I Adir fighter jet shot down an Iranian Yak-130 combat aircraft over Tehran on March 6, 2026. This engagement represents the first confirmed instance of an F-35 stealth fighter achieving an air-to-air kill against a manned adversary aircraft. Multiple international news outlets, including FlightGlobal and The Aviationist, report the incident based on official IDF statements. The development marks a significant milestone in the operational history of the F-35 program, demonstrating its combat effectiveness in a real-world air superiority role.
The Israeli Air Force released video footage showing the engagement, which has since been verified across several defense media platforms. The footage, cited by Times of Israel and India TV News, appears to depict the launch of an air-to-air missile from an F-35I followed by the destruction of the Yak-130. While technical analysis of the video is ongoing, its release serves as a strategic communication tool, underscoring Israel's advanced aerial capabilities and situational dominance during the operation.
The Yak-130 aircraft involved was of Russian origin and had been transferred to the Iranian Air Force prior to the incident, according to reports from Eurasian Times and Zona Militar. Originally designed as an advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft, the Yak-130's presence in an active combat zone signals Iran's reliance on dual-role platforms amid limited access to modern fighter fleets. Its engagement by a fifth-generation stealth fighter highlights a significant technological asymmetry between the two air forces.