New Delhi: In a historic mission, Israeli female fighter pilots from the Israeli Air Force (IAF) played a central role in pre-dawn airstrikes against Iranian military targets early Saturday, marking Israel’s first openly acknowledged attack on Iranian soil. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released videos and images showing IAF squadrons, including F-15 and F-16 jets, as they took off to carry out the strikes aimed at disabling Iran’s missile manufacturing and air defense facilities.
These powerful visuals included some of the IAF’s pioneering female pilots and navigators who contributed to the mission, highlighting their significant roles in Israel’s defense operations. The IDF, which has increasingly spotlighted the contributions of women in the armed forces, shared these images as a testament to the strength and readiness of Israel’s military, even amidst escalating regional tensions.
The strike targeted sites where Iran reportedly manufactures missiles used against Israel, alongside surface-to-air missile installations. Israel, however, avoided targeting oil or nuclear facilities both of which could have escalated the situation to unprecedented levels. The immediate impact of the airstrikes on Iran’s military capacity remains unconfirmed, though Israel has emphasized that the targets were strategically chosen to reduce Iran’s offensive capabilities without provoking wider conflict.
Following the airstrikes, Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded sharply, declaring its right to self-defense and condemning the attack as an act of foreign aggression. With tensions between Israel and Iran reaching new heights, this incident underscores the fragility of peace in the region and the potential for further retaliatory moves.
