Two Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighter jets were destroyed during an Israeli airstrike. These jets were not in the air at the time. They were sitting on the ground at an airport near Tehran.
A video showing the destroyed jets was shared widely online, showing smoke and flames coming from the wreckage.
The Israeli military confirmed that the attack targeted the jets. Military experts said the planes were not in flying condition. They were likely being used for spare parts.
Even though the jets were not ready to fly, destroying them still affects Iran’s air force. That’s because Iran has a small number of these jets, and it depends on broken or old ones to fix the ones that still work.
Iran is the only country in the world still using the F-14 Tomcat. These planes were made in the 1970s. They are from the Cold War era. Most countries stopped using them a long time ago. But Iran still uses them because it has limited options for modern aircraft.
These two jets were part of a small group kept at Mehrabad International Airport. This airport is also used for military purposes. Reports said the two F-14s were likely being stored there and were not used for active missions.
The destruction of these jets is considered a symbolic loss for Iran. These jets are among the most famous in history, and now there are two fewer in Iran’s limited stockpile.
How Iran Got the F-14 Tomcat
The F-14 Tomcat was built by a U.S. company during the 1970s. It was designed for use on aircraft carriers. They had a special design with wings that could move and powerful radar that could track many targets. It was one of the best fighter jets of its time.
Many people around the world know about the F-14 because of movies and books. But few know how Iran got these jets in the first place.
In the 1970s, Iran had a strong relationship with the United States. The two countries were allies. Iran bought many U.S. weapons during that time, including dozens of F-14s. At that time, Iran was one of the biggest buyers of American military equipment.
But after a major political change in 1979, Iran and the United States became enemies. The U.S. stopped sending weapons and spare parts to Iran. That made it hard for Iran to keep its American-made planes in working condition.
Since then, Iran has had to rely on old parts and even take pieces from one plane to fix another. This is known as “cannibalizing” parts. Iran has used this method for many years to keep its F-14 fleet alive.
Iran’s air force is made up of many types of old planes, including American, Chinese, and Russian models. But the F-14 remains one of its most advanced aircraft, even though it’s now outdated compared to modern jets.
Reports say that Iran may have had around 40 F-14s in total. Over time, many have stopped working. Some were damaged, some were used for parts, and some were stored. Before this strike, Iran was believed to have fewer than 24 that could still fly.
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Why These Jets Still Matter
Even though the F-14 is no longer a modern weapon, it is still important to Iran’s military. That’s because Iran has few advanced planes, and the F-14 is one of the best it has.
The jet can fly long distances, track many enemy aircraft at once, and carry powerful weapons. During past wars, these jets were used in real battles. They shot down enemy planes and helped defend Iranian airspace.
Today, they are old and hard to maintain. Because Iran can’t buy new parts, it depends on keeping old ones stored and using them to fix the ones still flying.
That’s why the Israeli strike was important. It didn’t just destroy two planes. It may have also destroyed the chance to keep other planes flying.
Military reports say that after the U.S. stopped using the F-14 in 2006, extra parts were destroyed or locked away. This was done to stop Iran from getting them. That made it even harder for Iran to repair its remaining jets.
The jets destroyed in this strike were likely being used as part sources. So even though they weren’t in the air, their loss hurts the ability to support the rest of the fleet.
Military experts believe that only a small number of F-14s remain in flying condition. Each time one is destroyed or damaged, it becomes harder for Iran to keep any of them working.
The Israeli airstrike was part of a larger set of military actions in the region. But this specific attack stood out because of the type of planes that were hit. The F-14 is rare, old, and iconic.
It’s not just a piece of military hardware—it’s a symbol. And now, two of them are gone.
