Overview
- The IDF said an Israeli F-35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, calling it the F-35’s first downing of a crewed aircraft, while Iranian authorities have not confirmed the loss.
- Israeli commanders noted it was the country’s first manned air-to-air kill since 1985, highlighting the scale of ongoing US–Israeli operations against Iranian targets.
- The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed RAF F-35B jets shot down drones over Jordanian airspace in their first combat shootdowns, with an RAF Typhoon and a counter-drone team stopping additional threats toward Qatar and US forces in Iraq.
- After a drone strike hit RAF Akrotiri’s runway, Britain is deploying the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon and helicopters with counter‑drone capabilities to strengthen protection of the Cyprus base.
- US Central Command said Iran has launched more than 2,000 drones and over 500 ballistic missiles, as Israel reported strikes on Basij command centers, missile launchers and other systems in Tehran.