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Israel Reportedly Destroys World’s Last Operational KC-747 Aerial Tanker in Long-Range Strike on Iran
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The Israeli Air Force has confirmed a long-range precision strike on Iran’s Mashhad Airport, marking one of the deepest aerial attacks in Israel’s military history, with the target reportedly a rare and critical aerial refueling aircraft belonging to the Iranian Air Force, Israel Defense Forces reported on June 15.
Mashhad Airport, located in northeastern Iran near the borders with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, sits roughly 2,300 kilometers (1,430 miles) from Israel. The Israeli military confirmed the strike but did not disclose the type of weapon used. Possibilities include an armed drone, air-to-surface missile, or guided bomb.
The IDF confirms it bombed an Iranian refueling plane at Mashhad Airport in northeast Iran, some 2,300 kilometers from Israel, marking the "most distant strike since the beginning of the operation."
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 15, 2025
"The Air Force is working to achieve air superiority throughout Iran," the… https://t.co/MRnitnGPSs
According to Israeli military correspondent Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian, the target was Iran’s sole operational KC-707 or KC-747 aerial refueling aircraft—a heavily modified Boeing 707-3J9C and Boeing 747 respectively.
The Boeing 707 had a long and unusual service history, having first flown for the now-defunct American airline Pan Am before passing through Iran Air and finally entering military service.
“This refueling plane was Iran’s only platform capable of supporting older US-built fighter jets in the air, including the F-14 Tomcat and F-4 Phantom II,” said Fabian.
Due to Iran’s aging air fleet and limited maintenance capabilities, experts believe the tanker’s operational use was already restricted, making its destruction more symbolic than tactical.
That symbolism, however, could be potent. Aerial refueling capabilities are essential for extending the combat radius of Iran’s jet fighters—especially given their limited range and deteriorating airframes.
At the same time, defense journalist Babak Taghvaee, who closely monitors the Iranian military, reported that the targeted aircraft was Iran’s last remaining KC-747, another legacy US-built tanker. He described the loss as a “crippling blow” to Tehran’s already weakened ability to project air power.
Images circulated on social media following the strike showed thick smoke and flames billowing from the tarmac, with a Boeing aircraft visibly engulfed in fire. Nearby, a Boeing 747-200 configured for passenger transport appeared damaged as well.
Though the Israeli Air Force did not specify what aircraft carried out the raid, an official release included an image of an F-16I “Sufa”—a long-range multirole fighter equipped with conformal and drop fuel tanks. While this doesn’t confirm the jet’s use in the mission, the F-16I’s extended range and strike capabilities make it a likely candidate.
The attack follows a pattern of Israeli actions targeting Iranian military assets amid heightened regional tensions. If Iran’s remaining tanker fleet is indeed eliminated, it may force a major reevaluation of Tehran’s air force operations—both in terms of strategy and symbolism.
Earlier, Israel carried out a large-scale air operation against Iran overnight, striking more than 100 military and nuclear targets and reportedly killing three of the country’s highest-ranking military commanders.
