In a bold and symbolic escalation, the IDF released infrared footage showing Israeli anircraft destroying two of Iran’s last operational F-14 Tomcat fighter jets parked at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport. The rare aircraft—long considered the crown jewel of Iran’s aging air force—were completely engulfed in flames following precision-guided strikes.

The footage shows direct hits on the vintage jets, followed by massive secondary explosions that lit up the sky above the airport. According to the IDF, the Tomcats were not decommissioned relics but were maintained for active duty and designated for intercept missions.

Iran purchased 80 F-14s from the United States in the 1970s, becoming the only foreign country to ever fly the American-made aircraft. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the resulting U.S. arms embargo, Iran struggled to keep the fleet operational. Through decades of reverse-engineering and cannibalizing parts, a handful of Tomcats were painstakingly kept flight-ready—until now.

Defense analysts believe fewer than five remained airworthy before the strikes. Their destruction marks not just a tactical loss, but a symbolic one. “These jets were more than military hardware—they were a national symbol,” said Lt. Col. (res.) Dan Sharvit, a retired Israeli aviation analyst. “Taking them out sends a message that even Iran’s most prized assets are vulnerable.”

The strike on Mehrabad Airport is part of a wider Israeli air campaign inside Iran, which has targeted military infrastructure, air defense systems, missile depots, and command centers across key locations including Fordow, Parchin, and Hamadan. Commercial flights out of Tehran have been suspended, and satellite imagery shows fires and likely damage to runways.

Iranian state media dismissed the strike as “propaganda,” claiming the destroyed aircraft were grounded and non-operational.

Since the beginning of Israel’s strikes, at least 224 people have been reported killed in Iran, along with 24 fatalities in Israel from retaliatory fire. Military observers now say Israel has achieved full air superiority over Iran. With the skies under Israeli control and Iran’s air assets crippled, some defense officials have begun referring to Iran’s current position as a “complete surrender zone.”

While Tehran has issued vague threats of retaliation, its military options appear limited. As Israeli aircraft continue to fly unchallenged over Iranian territory, the message is unmistakable: Israel will strike at will, and no target is untouchable.