New details emerge about Iran-Israel dogfight in June
The commander-in-chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army has stated that some of the country’s pilots have flown missions and gone head-to-head with the enemy during the imposed 12-day war in June 2025. “These experiences must be carefully logged and utilized,” Major General Amir Hatami said.
According to Defa Press, the Iranian Air Force, boasting experienced, committed, and skilled pilots, despite harsh sanctions and technical constraints, has kept up and optimized its older fleet, such as Phantom and MiG fighters, while also deploying domestic aircraft like Kowsar and Azarakhsh to hold the line in protecting the country’s airspace.
During the imposed 12-day war, given limited resources, the Iranian Air Force faced off against the air forces of at least four countries directly supporting the Israeli regime’s fighters, namely Germany, the UK, France, and the USA. Based on field observations, they were in charge of logistics and refueling. Despite this, Iran’s Air Force put on a strong showing.
Throughout the recent conflict, by maintaining round-the-clock flights, the force managed to prevent damage that the Israeli Air Force might have inflicted on critical infrastructure such as electricity, water, gas, and even civilian homes. Without this presence, casualties and damages in our country would have run wild.
Major General Hatami remarked, “Although this war lasted only 12 days, it carries precious lessons. We essentially went toe-to-toe with the technologically concentrated essence of the West and NATO. They had handed our Israeli enemy everything it needed, and whenever shortages arose, its allies stepped in to back it up and support it.”
This is precisely what is said about the logistical backing of Israel’s Air Force during the imposed 12-day war; Tanker planes from Germany, France, and the US, along with the British airbase in southern Cyprus, stood behind the Zionist enemy. However, the proud pilots of the Iranian Air Force, despite scarce resources, compromised many enemy flights over our skies and disrupted their operations.
Brigadier General Pilot Hamid Vahedi, commander of the Iranian Air Force, revealed that only minutes after the official start of the Israeli regime’s attack on our beloved country, pilots at Shahid Babaei Air Base in Isfahan and other bases flew into action over Tehran and other critical areas, successfully shooting down several advanced and unmanned enemy aircraft.
He added: “Brave pilots from various Air Force bases repeatedly launched attacks on enemy flight groups, thwarting their operations. Moreover, during the recent imposed war, the Air Force gave its all to defend Iran’s skies and people, conducting dozens of operations that, due to security considerations, cannot be brought out into the open at this time.”
In this comprehensive hybrid war, which the Zionist regime and its allies kicked off and ultimately begged for a cease-fire in disgrace, all branches of the armed forces stepped up with full might to defend the country. This was echoed in the words of the commander-in-chief, who maintained, “All of Iran, from the Ground Forces, Air Defense, and Air Force to Basij, the IRGC, and the people, were in the thick of it during the recent imposed war and truly fought and resisted to ensure that Islamic Iran remains proud in history forever.”
It is worth noting that Iranian Air Defense, in countering enemy aircraft, also achieved significant success by taking down drones, micro-UAVs, and cruise missiles.
Even today, more than two months after the war with the Zionist regime, Iranian Air Force pilots keep up their essential duties regularly, especially night patrols over Iran’s skies, to prevent any surprise in possible future battles.
The article first appeared in Persian
on KhabarOnline news agency.