Israel Claims It Destroyed Former Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei's Plane At Tehran Airport

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 14:05 IST

The IDF said the plane had been used by Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials to facilitate military procurement and manage relations with allied “axis” countries.

Israel said its air force overnight struck and destroyed an aircraft used by former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei at Mehrabad Airport, marking what it described as a significant blow to Iran’s regional coordination capabilities.

The Israel Defence Forces said the plane had been used by Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials to facilitate military procurement and manage relations with allied “axis" countries through domestic and international travel.

In a statement, the Israeli Air Force said the aircraft was a “strategic asset" whose destruction would hamper Iran’s ability to coordinate with proxy groups and rebuild its military infrastructure.

“The destruction of the plane impairs the ability to coordinate between the leadership of the Iranian terror regime and axis countries in building military power and rehabilitation capabilities," the air force said.

Located in the Iranian capital Tehran, Mehrabad is one of the country’s oldest airports and primarily serves domestic and regional flights.

It is also a dual-use facility that houses Iranian air force assets, making it a recurring target in the ongoing conflict.

Earlier this month, Israel said it destroyed 16 aircraft at the same airport that were allegedly used by the Quds Force, the overseas arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to transfer weapons and cash to proxy groups, including Hezbollah.

According to Israeli military officials, Iran had attempted to conceal some of the aircraft by moving them into storage areas designated for out-of-service planes, in an effort to complicate Israeli surveillance and targeting.

Israel said the latest strike underscores its intent to degrade Iran’s logistical and coordination networks as hostilities continue to escalate across the region.

News world Israel Claims It Destroyed Former Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei's Plane At Tehran Airport

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