Israel‘s air force destroyed at least two rare Iranian F-14 Tomcats in a strike on Tehran International Airport on Monday, footage published by Israel showed.
One of the central goals of Israel’s air campaign against Iran is to establish air supremacy over the country, allowing further unimpeded strikes on various strategic targets. On Monday, Israel’s air force targeted a Tehran airfield, publishing infrared footage from a drone showing the destruction of two grounded F-14s.
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“A few minutes ago, an Israeli Air Force plane flying over Tehran targeted two F-14 fighter jets at a military base in Tehran. These fighter jets were being used to intercept Israeli Air Force aircraft operating in Iranian skies,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a post on X, alongside footage of the destruction.
Though the IDF claimed the jets were being used to intercept Israeli aircraft, the planes appeared to be in disuse. Satellite photos from 2022 and 2023 show the aircraft exposed on the runway in nearly the same place. The lack of secondary explosions after they were hit suggests they lacked fuel or ammunition.
Iran has been unable to obtain new F-14s or F-14 parts, forcing it to resort to cannibalizing its other F-14s for maintenance. The two aircraft may have been used as spare parts for the other operational aircraft.
Iran’s air force has long been the weakest branch of the country’s armed forces. It inherited state-of-the-art U.S. fighter jets delivered to the shah, a close U.S. ally. Though the aircraft performed well during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988, the severing of relations with the United States and widespread sanctions forced Iran to stick with its dated aircraft, now over half a century old.
Iran’s aircraft are now intended for ground support roles, and few are under any illusions that the air force can compete with Israel’s, the most advanced in the region with the latest U.S. technology, including F-35s. Ceding any hopes of air supremacy, Tehran relies on an advanced air defense array and an extensive ballistic missile arsenal.
The U.S. Navy retired the F-14 in 2006, making Iran the aircraft’s only remaining operator.
Other F-14s have likely been destroyed during Israel’s air campaign. Among the first strikes targeted was the Mehrabad air base in Tehran, where some air fleet is likely held. Open source intelligence analysts confirmed the fighter jet hangars had been hit.
The F-14 has become an iconic jet for its unique design and starring role in the Top Gun movie series. Aviation enthusiasts expressed their sadness over the destruction of the antique planes with memes online.
“This is the real war crime, Israel destroying museum pieces. Rip F-14,” one user joked.
Only a fraction of the 79 F-14s delivered to Iran by 1979 remain operational. Estimates vary widely, with the War Zone giving estimates of a handful to 25.
ISRAEL STRIKES IRANIAN STATE MEDIA HEADQUARTERS WHILE LIVE ON AIR
War between Israel and Iran broke out for the first time in the early hours of Friday, when Israel launched a massive surprise attack against nuclear and military infrastructure and personnel. Most of Iran’s senior military commanders were killed, while targets all across the country were mauled. Iran has responded with waves of ballistic missile strikes against Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv.
Since Friday, 224 Iranians and 24 Israelis have been killed.