U.S. Air Weapons Show Dominance in Israel's Strike on Iran
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Israel conducted precision airstrikes on Iran Friday, deploying over 200 fighter jets and launching 330 munitions, the Israeli military said.
Despite Iran's claims of full military readiness to repel Israeli or U.S. attacks, the results of "Operation Rising Lion" laid bare the true capabilities on both sides, showcasing Israel's success with a reliance on advanced U.S.-made aircraft and munitions that overcame Iran's air defenses.
Why It Matters
The successful execution of the strike without reported losses underscores the effectiveness of U.S.-made military technology at a time of growing competition in the global arms industry.
This is especially significant in a region where the U.S. has long limited the sale of top-tier fighter jets to Arab countries to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge. It also reflects the broader competition in modern air warfare—where stealth, precision, and electronic warfare capabilities increasingly define battlefield success.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Melanie "Mach" Kluesner, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander assigned at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, pilots her aircraft over the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force...
U.S. Air Force Maj. Melanie "Mach" Kluesner, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander assigned at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, pilots her aircraft over the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, May 24, 2025. More
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Peterson/DVIDS
What To Know
The strikes involved Lockheed Martin F-35s and F-16s, as well as Boeing F-15s, and targeted multiple sites across Iran, including the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, which houses critical infrastructure for Iran's nuclear program.
The IDF releases footage showing Israeli Air Force fighter jets heading out for the strikes in Iran this morning, as well as landing following the attacks. pic.twitter.com/1xbif5i8gK — Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025
Israel also said it struck "hideouts" of senior operatives in the Iranian military leadership, killing the Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander. Israel also said it killed IRGC Air Force Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
The Israeli attack on Iran highlighted key operational capabilities in dismantling Iran's air defenses and retaliatory capabilities, targeting medium- and long-range systems, disrupting command networks, and penetrating nuclear facilities, military analyst Sayed Ghoneim noted.
Tehran has long sought to acquire the systems to deter Israeli strikes. Iran's air defense system primarily relies on Russian-made missile systems, including the S-300 and Pantsir surface-to-air missiles, which provide layered protection against aerial threats but Israel's strikes in 2024 severely damaged defense infrastructure.
An Israeli fighter jet returning to base flies above an area near Tel Aviv on September 26, 2024. Israel's defence ministry said on September 26 that it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from...
An Israeli fighter jet returning to base flies above an area near Tel Aviv on September 26, 2024. Israel's defence ministry said on September 26 that it had secured an $8.7 billion aid package from the United States to support the country's ongoing military efforts, including upgrading air defence systems. More
GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP/Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said: "This morning, the IDF began preemptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program in order to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe."
Retired Egyptian Army Major General Sayed Ghoneim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi-based Institute for Global Security and Defense Affairs (IGSDA) told Newsweek: "Iran's air defenses lag significantly in both quality and quantity, especially given its constant threat from a technologically superior adversary. The stealth capabilities of F-35s proved particularly difficult to detect, exposing critical vulnerabilities, to already weak capabilities."
President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, as quoted by Mehr News Agency: "The Iranian nation and the country's officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response from the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish action."
What Happens Next
The power of advanced weapons such as the F-35 signals continued dominance for U.S. weaponry, with defense stocks soaring after Israel's strike on Iran. Israel is likely to continue attacks while Iran may target Israel with ballistic missiles and drones — again potentially blocked by U.S. aircraft.
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