The Israel Defense Forces announced that an F-35I Adir stealth fighter shot down an Iranian Air Force Yak-130 over Tehran on March 4, 2026, marking the first known air-to-air kill by an F-35 against a manned aircraft.
The IDF described the engagement as lasting a few seconds during the ongoing Epic Fury operation, a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iranian military targets. Israeli media reported it as the first Israeli air-to-air victory over a crewed combat aircraft since 1985, when F-15s downed Syrian MiG-23s over Lebanon.
The Russian-made Yak-130, a twin-seat advanced trainer capable of light-attack and reconnaissance roles, entered Iranian service in recent years to modernize its aging fleet. While Israeli reports called it a fighter jet, analysts classify it primarily as a trainer platform.
The IDF released video footage and an audio clip of the exchange between airbase commander Major General Tomer Bar and the pilot, confirming the hit. Unverified videos show the Yak-130 descending with possible ejections near Lavasan mountain north of Tehran, potentially on a counter-drone mission.
No details emerged on the missile used or crash site amid regional escalations involving official claims and unconfirmed social media posts. The Washington Post noted the incident lacks independent verification over defended airspace.
Israel struck dozens of targets in Tehran and Isfahan, including missile sites and command centers, on the same day.