IDF Destroys Aircraft Used by Iran’s Supreme Leader

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday, March 16, 2026, that it destroyed an aircraft at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran. The aircraft had been used by Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior Iranian officials and military personnel .

Details of the Strike

The strike, which occurred overnight, targeted an aircraft utilized for travel within Iran and abroad, as well as for coordinating with allied countries . The IDF stated the operation was a precise strike intended to disrupt Tehran’s ability to coordinate military logistics and diplomatic movement amid widening hostilities .

Mehrabad Airport’s Significance

Mehrabad Airport, located in western Tehran, is one of the capital’s oldest aviation hubs . Whereas primarily serving domestic and regional flights, it also functions as a dual-purpose facility housing air force assets .

Broader Context of Israeli-Iranian Hostilities

This strike follows a series of coordinated strikes by Israeli and US forces inside Iran since late February 2026, targeting missile launch systems, command centers, and key military infrastructure in cities including Tehran, Isfahan, and Qom . Earlier in March, Israeli forces reportedly targeted fuel depots and other facilities in Tehran, prompting condemnation from Iranian officials who described some of the attacks as “ecocide” and warned of retaliation .

Impact of the Strike

According to the IDF, dismantling the aircraft degrades another strategic asset of the Iranian regime and disrupts the leadership’s coordination capabilities with allied countries, hindering military force build-up and rehabilitation efforts .