Achieving Dominance: How Israel Gained Air Superiority Over Iran

In recent military operations, Israel has reportedly achieved significant air superiority over parts of Iran, including its capital, Tehran, within a remarkably short timeframe. This strategic advantage, a feat that some analysts compare favorably to Russia's struggles in Ukraine, stems from a combination of superior Israeli air capabilities, advanced intelligence, and specific vulnerabilities in Iran's air defense infrastructure. Understanding how this dominance was established sheds light on the evolving dynamics of modern aerial warfare.

The Strategic Importance of Air Superiority

Air superiority, and its more complete form, air supremacy, means a military can conduct operations across enemy territory with minimal or no opposition from hostile aircraft or air defenses. This provides significant advantages, including the freedom to strike targets at will, conduct reconnaissance, and protect ground forces, ultimately influencing the course of a conflict.

Key Factors in Israel's Air Dominance

1. Advanced Israeli Air Force Capabilities

• Fifth-Generation Aircraft: Israel leveraged its most advanced fighter jets, including the F-35 stealth aircraft, particularly in the initial phases of its campaign. These aircraft possess stealth capabilities, powerful electronic warfare suites, and significant intelligence-gathering abilities, allowing them to penetrate heavily defended airspace and target critical air defense installations.
• Integrated Operations: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is noted for its high level of integration with intelligence and cyber operations. This cohesion allowed for swift and coordinated strikes that effectively suppressed Iran's air defense radar installations and surface-to-air missile batteries.
• Pilot Training and Experience: Experts point to superior training and battle-hardened experience of Israeli pilots as a crucial factor. This allows them to execute complex, high-risk missions deep within enemy territory.

2. Exploiting Iranian Air Defense Vulnerabilities

• Outdated and Disjointed Systems: Iran's air defense network largely consists of a mix of older Soviet-era systems (like the S-300), Chinese batteries, and locally made air-defense systems. Unlike Ukraine, which had better-integrated Soviet-era air defenses, Iran's system was less cohesive.
• Underinvestment in Ground-Based Air Defenses: For decades, Iran reportedly underinvested in ground-based air defenses, relying more on its deterrent missile forces and regional proxies. This strategic choice left them vulnerable to a concentrated aerial assault.
• Lack of Surprise and Concealment: While Ukraine dispersed its mobile air defenses prior to a major conflict, Iran was caught off guard, reportedly convinced that Israel would not attack while nuclear talks with the U.S. were ongoing. Israeli intelligence, including Mossad teams, allegedly penetrated Iran to set up drones and destroy air defenses at close range early in the campaign.

3. Operational Strategy and Execution

• Initial Suppression Strikes: Israel initiated "Operation Rising Lion" with intense, far-reaching air operations, focusing on crippling Iran's air defenses. This involved striking more than 70 Iranian surface-to-air missile batteries and dozens of missile launchers.
• Targeting Key Infrastructure and Commanders: Strikes targeted not only missile launchers but also critical intelligence figures, command centers, and infrastructure supporting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The destruction of two F-14 planes, which Iran used to target Israeli aircraft, further weakened their aerial capabilities.
• Shifting to Cheaper Munitions: Once air defenses were suppressed, Israel began using older fighter jets like F-15s and F-16s to drop less expensive, short-range bombs (e.g., JDAMs and SPICE bombs) from within Iranian skies, allowing for more frequent and extensive damage.

Implications of Air Superiority

Achieving air superiority gives Israel the unhindered freedom to strike targets across Iran, providing a decisive edge in the conflict. This allows for continuous bombing campaigns, tracking of key targets like nuclear facilities, and increased destructive potential. While Israel has achieved significant control, particularly over western Iran and Tehran, it continues to work towards achieving this over other parts of the country.

Conclusion

Israel's rapid achievement of air superiority over parts of Iran highlights a combination of its advanced military technology, strategic planning, and Iran's vulnerabilities in air defense. This dominance provides Israel with a critical tactical and strategic advantage, allowing it to inflict significant damage and shape the trajectory of the conflict. What are the long-term implications of this aerial imbalance for regional stability? Discuss with our AI assistant!

References

• [1] Associated Press. (2025, June 16). Israel orders 300,000 people in Tehran to evacuate while Trump issues ominous warning. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/israel-iran-missile-attacks-nuclear-news-06-16-2025-c98074e62ce5afd4c3f6d33edaffa069
• [2] JNS.org. (2025, June 18). Control of the skies: Israel achieves in 48 hours what Russia couldn't in 3.5 years. Retrieved from https://www.jns.org/control-of-the-skies-israel-achieves-in-48-hours-what-russia-couldnt-in-3-5-years/
• [3] Time Magazine. (2025, June 17). Air Supremacy Over Tehran Gives Israel a Decisive Edge—And Raises New Risks. Retrieved from https://time.com/7294919/israel-air-supremacy-tehran-iran/