An Israeli Air Force F-35I fighter aircraft brought down an Iranian Yak-130 jet over Tehran on Wednesday, the IDF announced, marking the first time an F-35 has shot down a piloted aircraft, Times of Israel reports.

The encounter also represented the first instance in roughly four decades that the Israeli Air Force has fought an air-to-air battle against a manned enemy plane.

The previous time Israeli fighter jets destroyed a piloted hostile aircraft occurred on November 24, 1985, during a clash over Lebanon, when an Israeli F-15 shot down two Syrian MiG-23 fighter jets.

In an audio transmission released by the military, Israeli Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar praised the pilot responsible for the interception, calling the moment a landmark achievement.

“The historic interception over the skies of Tehran is an expression of the air force’s power and your personal determination. The next mission is already waiting for you,” Bar said.

Speaking with reporters, the commander of Nevatim Airbase — where Israel’s fleet of F-35 aircraft is stationed — described how the engagement unfolded once the Iranian jet was detected.

“We identified the plane, locked on it and launched [a missile].”

“The Iranian plane endangered [our] aircraft. It could have hit our plane, so we shot it down,” Brig. Gen. “Daled,” — identified only by his rank and first initial in Hebrew — said.

The base commander explained that the Israeli fighter launched its missile while already conducting operations targeting Iranian regime facilities in Tehran, noting that the aircraft is capable of executing such actions rapidly and precisely.

He added that the pilot responsible for downing the Iranian jet is relatively junior within the force, though the officer has previously flown operational missions over Iran.

“The Iranian Air Force understands that it is inferior and under significant threat. Despite this, it is trying with its remaining capabilities to carry out missions that will disrupt us. That was the situation that led to the shootdown,” the airbase commander said.

“We encounter the enemy during our sorties in Iran, but it is a weak enemy,” he added.

Video circulated on social media that appeared to show the aircraft crashing in the Lavasan Mountains north of Tehran, though the authenticity of the footage could not immediately be confirmed.

The Israeli Air Force is expected to commemorate the event by adding a “victory mark” decal to the side of the F-35I involved in the interception, recognizing the pilot and the aircraft for the achievement.

If added, it would likely be the first time in nearly twenty years that such a marking has been placed on an Israeli aircraft.

{Matzav.com}