WATCH: Israel strikes six airbases across Iran, destroys 15 fighter jets and attack choppers

The Israeli military said Monday (June 23) it struck six Iranian airbases across the country in a coordinated assault that destroyed 15 fighter jets and attack helicopters, as tensions between the two regional adversaries continued to escalate.

The strikes, conducted by remotely piloted aircraft, targeted airports located in Tabriz, Tehran-Mehrabad, Mashhad, Hamedan, Dezful, and Shahid Bakhtiari.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation focused on runways, underground hangars, a refuelling aircraft, and specific Iranian Air Force assets, including F-14 and F-5 fighter jets and AH-1 attack helicopters.

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Air superiority effort

The IDF said the objective of the attacks was to impair Iran’s ability to challenge Israeli aircraft conducting missions over Iranian territory. “The destroyed aircraft were intended for use against IAF jets in order to prevent strikes within Iranian territory,” the military said in a statement.

The strikes were aimed at neutralizing Tehran’s operational air force capabilities by hitting critical infrastructure such as runways and maintenance facilities, including those used to refuel and shelter aircraft.

Widening conflict

The strikes come amid an intensifying military confrontation between Israel and Iran, which has included several days of aerial assaults. Iran has not yet issued a formal statement responding to the latest attacks.

Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and has launched repeated strikes in Syria and elsewhere targeting Iranian proxies and military infrastructure. This latest escalation suggests a widening of that campaign directly into Iranian territory.

The Israeli military released satellite images showing damage to runways and airfields, including Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, where runways were visibly cratered.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, and the full extent of damage on the ground remains unclear. Iranian officials have yet to confirm or deny the extent of the Israeli strikes.

While Israel has acknowledged its involvement, it has not indicated whether further attacks are planned.