Air Force Commander Tomer Bar projected the potential loss of up to ten aircraft within the first 72 hours of the war

By Hezy Laing

During last month’s 12-day confrontation with Iran, an Israeli F-15 fighter jet encountered a serious fuel tank malfunction while flying near Tehran, narrowly avoiding an emergency landing.

The malfunction occurred deep within Iranian territory, prompting the pilot to immediately notify command.

Since no aerial refueling tanker had been designated for the mission beforehand, Israeli forces quickly deployed one to rendezvous with the jet in mid-air.

Backup plans were also set in motion.

Had the refueling aircraft failed to arrive on time, the pilot would have been instructed to divert to a nearby unnamed country for an emergency landing, sidestepping the dangers of touching down in Iran.

Fortunately, the tanker reached the jet in time, successfully refueled it in flight, and allowed the mission to proceed uninterrupted.

Before Israel’s surprise aerial strikes on June 13, which sparked the broader conflict, Air Force Commander Tomer Bar projected the potential loss of up to ten aircraft within the first 72 hours.

Despite that estimate—and contradictory claims by Iranian media—no Israeli jets were lost, and no pilot was captured.