Israel said it destroyed an aircraft used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an overnight strike at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, in what would mark the end of a high-profile state asset as the war entered its third week.
Reuters reported on March 16, 2026, that the Israeli military said it had struck the aircraft overnight at the airport and described it as a plane used by senior Iranian officials and military figures for domestic and international travel.
The claim remains based primarily on Israeli military statements. Reuters attributed the report directly to the Israeli military and said it had not independently verified the destruction of the aircraft.
The aircraft is reportedly an Iranian government Airbus A340-300 registered EP-IGA. The jet has served as a VIP transport aircraft for Iran’s leadership and has been seen in state use on high-level official trips.
The Israeli Air Force said the aircraft had been used to support military procurement and relations with allied countries, and argued that destroying it would impair the regime’s ability to coordinate with partner states and rebuild military power.
The reported strike also highlights Mehrabad Airport’s importance as both a civilian gateway and a base for state aviation activity. Recent reporting has pointed to aircraft losses and damage there as Israeli operations have widened.
Iran International separately reported that overnight strikes at Mehrabad Airport may also have affected additional aircraft tied to state or military use, though reporting on the incident remains heavily dependent on claims made during an active conflict.
