Israel Destroys Iran’s Rare Boeing 747 Tanker in Mashhad

In a major blow to Iran’s long-range military capabilities, Israeli airstrikes destroyed the Iranian Air Force’s prized Boeing 747 aerial refueling tanker in Mashhad. The aircraft—one of only two remaining in the world—was originally part of a fleet of three built exclusively for Iran during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The 747 tanker is the largest of its kind globally, with no equivalent in service even among U.S. forces. Its destruction marks a significant degradation in Iran’s ability to project air power and sustain long-distance air operations.