The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has claimed responsibility for an airstrike on an airport in Isfahan, stating that several Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jets belonging to Iran were destroyed during the attack.
According to a statement posted by the IDF on Telegram, Israeli forces also struck radar detection and air-defense systems that were considered a threat to Israeli aircraft. The military said the operation was part of a broader campaign targeting strategic military infrastructure across Iran.
The Israeli military did not disclose the exact number of fighter jets destroyed during the strike.
Multiple Locations Hit Across Isfahan Province
Iranian media outlets, including Tasnim News Agency, reported that airstrikes were carried out across several locations in Isfahan Province.
Authorities reported that at least 11 people were killed after strikes hit manufacturing facilities and other sites, including a horse-riding club.
Cities and towns reportedly affected include:
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Isfahan
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Najafabad
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Aran and Bidgol
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Borkhar
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Khomeyni Shahr
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Shahreza
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Falavarjan
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Mobarakeh
The strikes reportedly targeted infrastructure that Iranian officials say included industrial workshops.
Earlier Strike Targeted Quds Force Aircraft in Tehran
The IDF stated that the attack on Isfahan followed an earlier operation that destroyed 16 aircraft linked to the Quds Force, an elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran.
Israeli officials said these operations are intended to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and reduce threats to Israeli air operations.
Oil Depot Strikes Reported Near Tehran
Iranian news agency Fars News Agency reported additional attacks in Tehran and nearby Alborz Province, where strikes reportedly hit oil storage facilities.
According to the report, at least four tanker drivers were killed in those attacks.
Nuclear Facility Region Raises Global Concerns
Isfahan is also home to one of Iran’s major nuclear-related facilities, making the region strategically significant in international discussions around nuclear energy and uranium enrichment.
Western governments, including the United States and Israel, have previously raised concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
Reports from Axios suggest that Washington and Israel are considering the possibility of deploying special forces inside Iran to secure highly enriched uranium stockpiles. However, such an operation would likely occur only if Iran’s defensive capabilities are significantly weakened.
Conflict Escalates After Late-February Strikes
The latest developments come after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, significantly escalating tensions in the region.
Iran responded with missile attacks targeting sites linked to US and Israeli interests across the Middle East. The conflict has disrupted global energy markets and transport routes, and it has also raised security concerns in regions traditionally considered stable, including the Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where Iranian attacks have reportedly targeted US military bases.
