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| 4 Israeli F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets And 4 US F-15 Fighter Jets Simulate Attacks on Iran |
International Military - Four F-35i stealth fighter jets and several F-16i Israeli Air Forces (IAF) joined four United States (US) F-15 aircraft simulating an attack on Iran in joint combat exercises that began last Tuesday. These maneuvers took place over Israeli airspace and over the Mediterranean Sea.
Apart from Iran, the attack simulation was also aimed at Tehran's proxies in the region. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said this attack simulation also practiced aerial refueling by American KC-135 aircraft to several IAF F-16i fighter jets.
A series of joint exercises simulating various scenarios in the face of regional threats were completed together with the U.S. Armed Forces.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 30, 2022
The exercise began as four IAF F-35i “Adir” aircraft accompanied four American F-15 fighter jets through Israel’s skies yesterday. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/eLCdRKzHyE
"The exercise simulated long-range operational and flight scenarios," said the IDF, which released photos and video footage of the joint Israeli-US maneuvers. “The Intelligence Directorate conducted extensive simulations that replicated campaigns against distant countries,” continued the IDF, as quoted by the Times of Israel, Thursday (1/12/2022).
"This exercise tests the IDF's capabilities in gathering intelligence, researching and deciphering targets, and providing intelligence to operational forces." "This exercise is a key component of the two militaries' increased strategic cooperation in response to shared concerns in the Middle East, particularly those posed by Iran," the IDF added.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid observed part of the exercise on Wednesday from the IAF's underground control center. IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi, and IAF chief Tomer Bar showed Lapid the various scenarios being worked out, and they discussed the Iranian threat.
The joint exercise was agreed upon during IDF Chief Aviv Kohavi's trip to the US last week. According to the IDF, Kohavi had told American defense officials in Washington that the two militaries should accelerate a joint plan for offensive action against Iran.
Last Thursday, Kohavi said joint activities with the US military in the Middle East would be significantly expanded. “To enhance our ability to address challenges in the region, joint activities with US Central Command will be significantly expanded in the near future. At the same time, the IDF will continue to act at an accelerated pace against the Iranian regime's stronghold in the region," Kohavi said.
Kohavi has been holding meetings with senior American officials for five days, focusing on the Iranian threat. "During the discussions, it was agreed that we are at a critical juncture that requires accelerating operational plans and cooperation against Iran and its terrorist proxies in the region," he said last week.
Israel has opposed US President Joe Biden's efforts to revive the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers that traded sanctions relief for curbs on the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear program. But the disagreement has become less relevant these days, as nuclear talks have collapsed and the US has chosen to focus on dealing with Iran's ongoing protests against the regime.
Israel has been pushing the US to prepare a martial law plan to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Biden said he was prepared to use military force if necessary, but still preferred to go the diplomatic route first.