The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for attacking six airports in Iran, resulting in the destruction of 15 aircraft and damage to runways. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the airports targeted were located in western, eastern, and central Iran. The IDF reported that drone strikes destroyed F-15 and F-5 fighter jets, a refueling plane, and an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, while also damaging runways and underground bunkers.
This development comes amid an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen a significant escalation in recent days. Iran has not yet confirmed the attack, but the IDF’s claim has added to the growing tensions between the two nations. The exact timing of the attacks remains unclear.
In a related development, Iran has launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, with the IDF reporting sirens sounding across Israel due to the Iranian missile launch. According to reports, Iran fired 27 missiles in two batches at Haifa and Tel Aviv, injuring at least 11 people. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have targeted Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
US President Donald Trump recently authorized airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, Natanz Nuclear Facility, and Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center.
Trump described the strikes as “spectacularly successful” and claimed that Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision, stating that it would “change history”.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating conflict. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the US marks a “perilous turn in a region that is already reeling”. China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong urged an immediate ceasefire, stating that China is “deeply concerned” about the risk of the situation getting out of control.