Israel strikes first: IAF destroys five Iranian AH-1 helicopters
In the early hours of Monday morning, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted a precision strike on Kermanshah Air Base in western Iran, targeting and destroying five Iranian AH-1 attack helicopters. The Israeli Ministry of Defense released footage of the operation, describing it as a preemptive measure to neutralize what officials called a "direct threat" to Israeli aircraft operating over Iranian territory.
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According to the statement, the AH-1s were “intended to strike Israeli Air Force aircraft operating in Iranian airspace.” The helicopters, stationed at the strategically significant Kermanshah facility, were reportedly preparing for deployment when Israeli assets struck them before they could lift off.
“This was a targeted and timely strike,” said a senior Israeli defense official. “We took action before they could.”
The AH-1 helicopters, originally supplied by the United States during the Shah’s regime in the 1970s, have been heavily modified by Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Branded as the Toufan I and Toufan II, these variants feature Iranian-developed avionics, sensors, and weapon systems. Despite their age, they remain capable platforms for close air support and anti-armor operations—especially dangerous to Israeli fighter aircraft operating at medium altitudes or conducting extended loiter missions over sensitive areas.
The strike highlights Israel’s increasing willingness to engage directly with Iranian military assets inside Iran, signaling a shift from proxy conflict to overt confrontation. In recent weeks, Israeli F-35I Adir and F-15I Ra’am jets, supported by unmanned systems, have been active in targeting Iran’s integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, and radar installations—particularly those guarding Tehran and western Iran.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), emphasized the strategic necessity of these operations. “Control of the skies is non-negotiable. It is essential to prevent Iranian missile strikes on Israeli cities, bases, and civilian infrastructure,” he stated. “We will continue to strike anywhere we want to strike in Iran.”
Hagari further noted that Israeli forces are currently operating in “seven arenas” simultaneously, hinting at a broad regional campaign encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, and potentially beyond.
The Kermanshah strike adds another chapter to the escalating shadow war between Israel and Iran, one increasingly being fought in daylight. As Iran’s drone and missile capabilities expand and its regional network of proxies grows more lethal, Israel is signaling it will act proactively—even if that means taking the fight directly onto Iranian soil.
For now, one thing is clear: the Israeli Air Force is not just flying over Iran. It’s rewriting the rules of engagement in the region.
