IDF Claims Strike on Two Iranian F-5 Fighter Jets at Dezful Airport.

IDF Claims Strike on Two Iranian F-5 Fighter Jets at Dezful Airport.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported on June 19, 2025, that it had successfully targeted and neutralized two Iranian F-5 fighter jets at the Dezful airport in western Iran. This strike comes amidst an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen significant military activity and retaliatory actions from both sides.

The IDF stated that the strike was part of a broader operation aimed at dismantling Iran's military capabilities and infrastructure, particularly its nuclear program and missile arsenal. The Dezful airport, which houses several aging F-5 fighter jets, was not directly targeted in the recent airstrikes but is now reported to have suffered damage due to the strike on the F-5s.

The F-5, an American-made supersonic light fighter, has been a part of Iran's air force for decades. Iran acquired numerous F-5s in the 1960s and 1970s, but many of these aircraft are now obsolete and non-operational due to the strain on maintenance and the lack of critical components and parts. The US military still uses the F-5 for training purposes but not for active combat operations.

This strike by the IDF is part of a larger campaign that has seen hundreds of airstrikes launched across Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, leading scientists, senior commanders, and other military infrastructure. In response, Iran has launched around 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones, primarily the Shahed-136 attack drones, in retaliation.

The conflict has also drawn international attention and concern. U.S. President Donald Trump has been raising the pressure on Iran to "surrender unconditionally," while Israel has been deploying additional fighter jets and considering the use of bunker-buster bombs and B-2 stealth bombers to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, international public opinion is divided, with some supporting U.S. military intervention and others warning against escalation.

This strike on the F-5s further highlights the asymmetric nature of the conflict, with Israel relying on advanced, modern aircraft and Iran relying on older aircraft and a large missile and drone arsenal. The ongoing conflict is likely to have significant geopolitical and economic implications, particularly in the Middle East region and the global energy market.

References:
[1] https://www.yahoo.com/news/satellite-image-captures-decades-old-171240362.html
[2] https://www.mk.co.kr/en/world/11346394