Which Iranian Missile Could Have Struck a U.S. F-35 Stealth Fighter?

200 Rockets Fired as Iran, Hezbollah Launch Coordinated Assault — U.S. Confirms Aircraft Down, Russian Arms Flow Into “Flashpoint” A barrage lasting several hours set off near-constant sirens across northern Israel, sending hundreds of thousands of civilians scrambling into bomb shelters. Mass rocket fire signals coordinated strike The Times of Israel reported on October 13 that Hezbollah forces in Lebanon launched roughly 200 rockets and 20 drones toward northern Israel over several hours on Wednesday evening, while Iran simultaneously fired missiles at multiple locations across the country. The developments are being viewed as a coordinated assault by Iran and Hezbollah, marking a new escalation in regional tensions. Initial reports indicate the first wave of rockets was fired from Lebanon around 8 p.m., coinciding with an Iranian missile heading toward central Israel. In a subsequent statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack followed an “integrated operations” model, with Iran deploying ballistic missiles while Hezbollah launched rockets and UAVs from Lebanon at multiple Israeli targets. The sustained bombardment triggered continuous air raid sirens from the Galilee region to the city of Haifa, forcing hundreds of thousands into shelters. According to preliminary assessments by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), about 200 rockets were launched from Lebanon in multiple waves, though not all crossed the border. Several projectiles landed inside Israeli territory, sparking fires and causing property damage at multiple sites. As rocket fire continued from Lebanon, Israeli air defense systems also detected incoming Iranian missiles, triggering alerts across Tel Aviv, the Jerusalem area, northern Israel, and parts of the south. Missile defense systems intercepted many of the threats, though debris from interceptions fell into populated areas. Israeli military sources said the near-simultaneous arrival of Hezbollah rockets and Iranian missiles suggests a level of tactical coordination between the two forces. In response, the Israeli Air Force carried out large-scale airstrikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, particularly in southern Beirut, a key stronghold of the group. The Israeli military said that within roughly 30 minutes, its air force destroyed 10 Hezbollah command centers in the Beirut area, along with multiple rocket launchers across Lebanon. Targets reportedly included launch sites, weapons depots, and command facilities believed to be used by Hezbollah intelligence units and the elite Radwan force. An Israeli official warned the situation is nearing a serious escalation, with the risk that ongoing exchanges could expand into a broader regional conflict. Analysts say Iran’s direct missile involvement, combined with Hezbollah opening a front from Lebanon, signals a more dangerous phase in the Middle East conflict, raising the likelihood that additional armed groups could be drawn into a widening ռազմական spiral. U.S. confirms aircraft incident Beyond Israel, Iran-aligned armed groups in the region claimed they had launched attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq. One such group said it shot down a U.S. KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and damaged another. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that a KC-135 Stratotanker crashed in western Iraq. According to a statement cited by CNN, the incident occurred in the airspace of an allied nation during Operation Epic Fury, with search-and-rescue operations underway. CENTCOM said two aircraft were involved: one crashed in western Iraq, while the other landed safely. U.S. officials said initial findings do not indicate enemy fire or friendly fire as the cause. However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq later claimed responsibility for attacking the two aircraft, asserting the first KC-135 was shot down and that all crew members were killed. In a separate statement, the group said its fighters targeted a second KC-135 within 24 hours in western Iraq. The aircraft was reportedly damaged but managed an emergency landing, with the crew surviving with injuries. So far, the Pentagon has not released details about search-and-rescue efforts for the downed aircraft or confirmed the number of personnel on board. A U.S. official told CNN that at least five crew members were on the aircraft. The Department of Defense has also not disclosed the type of the second aircraft involved, though CBS News reported it was another KC-135 that landed in Israel. An unverified image, reportedly taken at an airport in Tel Aviv, appeared to show damage to the aircraft’s tail section. A KC-135 refueling aircraft supports a fighter jet.Photo: U.S. Air Force Russian weapons flow into the “hot zone” Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Financial Times reported that Russia is accelerating deliveries of advanced military hardware to Iran, ranging from man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) to modern combat aircraft. Tehran has reportedly received training jets, attack helicopters, and armored vehicles, and signed an additional deal worth about €500 million for Verba MANPADS. Beyond short-range systems, Moscow and Tehran are also pushing forward larger agreements in military aviation. In 2023, Iran received its first Yak-130 trainer jets. Flight tracking data shows a sharp increase in An-124 military transport flights from Irkutsk — where the Yak-130 is produced — to Tehran in 2025, suggesting deliveries may be accelerating. As of January 2026, Iran is believed to have received at least six Mi-28 attack helicopters. Alongside equipment transfers, Moscow is also reportedly sharing combat experience with Tehran. CNN reported on March 12 that Russia has provided Iran with specific guidance on drone operations, including targeting methods previously used in the war in Ukraine. A Western intelligence official told CNN that what were once general forms of support have now become more detailed and operationally significant. The increased frequency of military transport flights from Russia and Belarus to Iran in early 2026 has also drawn attention from observers. Still, despite the apparent uptick in Russian arms transfers, analysts say the regional balance of power is unlikely to shift immediately in the short term.