JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s military said Wednesday that one of its F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter jets shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130 over Tehran, marking the first time the advanced aircraft has downed a manned fighter in combat.

“The historic shootdown over the Tehran skies is a testament to the strength of the Israeli Air Force and to your personal determination,” Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, commander of the Israeli Air Force, told the pilots in remarks released by the military.

“The war continues – return home safely. Get some rest,” he added. “The next mission is already waiting for you.”

El derribo de Yak-130 por F-35 ISR. Los que graban son miembros de la Guardia Revolucionaria de los Ayatollahs y celebran el derribo porque no saben que es suyo. https://t.co/GTG7Lhdzf5 pic.twitter.com/ThBASKbaIT

— Martin Tuitero (@TuiteroMartin) March 4, 2026

The F-35I is Israel’s customized version of the U.S.-made F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation stealth fighter that anchors the country’s air fleet. The Israeli variant, known as the “Adir” — Hebrew for “Mighty One” — includes locally developed electronic warfare systems and other modifications tailored to Israeli operational requirements.

According to the F-35 program’s official website, Israel became the first country to select the aircraft through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales process, signing a letter of agreement in October 2010. The Israeli Air Force received its first F-35 on June 22, 2016.
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The Yak-130 is a Russian-made, two-seat combat training aircraft designed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau and manufactured by United Aircraft Corporation, a state-owned Russian aerospace company. The subsonic jet is intended primarily as an advanced trainer but can also serve in a light attack role.

The aircraft made its maiden flight in 1996 and remains in active production. Iran’s air force received its first Yak-130 training aircraft in September 2023, according to Press TV.

In November 2023, Brig. Gen. Mahdi Farahi, Iran’s deputy defense minister, told Tasnim News Agency that plans had been finalized for Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, Mil Mi-28 helicopters and additional Yak-130 trainers to join Iran’s armed forces.

Tasnim previously reported that Iran acquired MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia in the 1990s. Iran’s fleet also includes aging U.S.-made F-14 Tomcat and F-4 Phantom II aircraft purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israeli officials said the Yak-130 was operating over Tehran when it was intercepted and destroyed. The military described the incident as a milestone in air combat history, noting that while F-35 aircraft have previously engaged drones and other unmanned systems, this was the first confirmed shootdown of a manned fighter by the stealth platform.

Independent verification of the engagement was not immediately available.