Israel Says Airstrike Destroys Aircraft Linked to Former Iranian Leader at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport

Israel said its air force carried out an overnight strike that destroyed an aircraft allegedly used by former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, describing the operation as a significant blow to Iran’s regional coordination capabilities.

In a statement, the Israeli Air Force said the aircraft was considered a “strategic asset,” and its destruction would hamper Tehran’s ability to coordinate with allied groups and rebuild its military infrastructure.

“The destruction of the plane impairs the ability to coordinate between the leadership of the Iranian terror regime and axis countries in building military power and rehabilitation capabilities,” the air force said.

Mehrabad Airport, located in the Iranian capital, is one of the country’s oldest aviation hubs and primarily handles domestic and regional flights. The facility also serves a dual-use role by hosting assets of the Iranian Air Force, making it a recurring target during the ongoing hostilities.

Earlier this month, Israel said it had destroyed 16 aircraft at the same airport that were allegedly used by the Quds Force—the overseas operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—to transport weapons and funds to proxy groups, including Hezbollah.

According to Israeli military officials, Iran had attempted to conceal some of the aircraft by relocating them to storage areas designated for decommissioned planes, an effort aimed at complicating Israeli surveillance and targeting operations.

Israel said the latest strike highlights its broader strategy of degrading Iran’s logistical and coordination networks as tensions and military confrontations continue to intensify across the region.