Israeli F-35I Shoots Down Iranian Yak-130 Over Tehran Amid Expanded Strikes

On March 4, 2026, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that an Israeli F-35I 'Adir' fighter jet shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft over Tehran, marking the first recorded air-to-air kill by an F-35 and the first Israeli manned aerial engagement since 1985. This event occurred amid a broader Israeli campaign targeting Iran's internal security and missile infrastructure, with strikes on command centers and missile launchers. Iran and allied groups have responded with counterattacks, escalating regional tensions.