In a dramatic escalation amid an already volatile regional conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) — Israel Defense Forces — claimed on Wednesday that its F-35I “Adir” stealth fighter intercepted and shot down an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 over the skies of Tehran — Tehran.

The military announced the strike in a post on X, calling it the first recorded shootdown of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 in history.

The F-35 platform, manufactured by Lockheed Martin — Lockheed Martin — has long been marketed as one of the world’s most advanced stealth jets, capable of evading radar with its angular design, internal weapons bay, and sophisticated sensor integration.

Its target, the YAK-130, originally developed by Yakovlev — Yakovlev — and Aermacchi — Aermacchi — is typically used as a subsonic trainer and light attack aircraft. But Israel says the jet was being operated in a combat role by Iranian forces during the ongoing conflict.

Explosions and Intercepts Shake Iran’s Capital

Loud explosions were reported across Tehran before sunrise, as Iranian state media acknowledged “incoming missile threats,” while Israel confirmed its air defenses were intercepting Iranian projectiles near Jerusalem — Jerusalem.

The skirmishes followed five days of intense missile and drone exchanges triggered by the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Ali Khamenei — in a US-Israel strike last weekend.

The conflict has already claimed nearly 800 lives, according to Iranian sources, with former U.S. President Donald Trump — Donald Trump — warning that fighting could “last a month or longer.”

Regional Spillover: Lebanon Also Hit

The violence has spilled into neighboring Lebanon — Lebanon — where Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah positions in retaliation for the group’s entry into the conflict.

Lebanese state media reported that at least four people were killed when Israeli strikes hit a residential complex in Baalbeck.

IDF Expands Targets Inside Iran

The IDF stated it also launched precision strikes on Basij and internal-security command centers operated by the Iranian regime in Tehran. These locations, the military said, serve as strategic hubs for maintaining domestic control.

In its announcement, the IDF emphasized that it struck missile launchers and related systems believed to be central to Iran’s retaliatory capabilities.