Israeli fighter aircraft struck two Iranian fighter jets on a runway just moments before they were set to take off on Sunday afternoon. The targeted aircraft were already positioned for departure when they were hit, preventing them from entering the air.

Iran’s air force is considered outdated and is not seen as a direct match for Israel’s more advanced fleet. However, even older fighter jets could pose challenges in certain scenarios.

Military officials noted that operational Iranian jets might have complicated Israeli and United States drone missions and added difficulty to the broader air campaign. Israel and the United States are believed to be operating with near-total control of the skies over Tehran, allowing them to conduct extended aerial operations with little interference.