Israel's Channel 12 revealed on 12/7 that an F-15 fighter jet involved in a strike against Iran last month experienced a fuel tank issue. The pilot discovered the problem deep within Iranian airspace while approaching Tehran for an airstrike.

Because the F-15 squadron lacked an accompanying refueling aircraft, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) dispatched a tanker from another location.

Israeli F-15 fighter jets participate in an airstrike on Iran in a photo released on 25/6. Photo: IDF

The IDF also prepared a contingency plan in case the tanker didn't arrive in time. The pilot would have had to abort the mission, fly to a neighboring country, and make an emergency landing to avoid the F-15 landing in Iran and being captured.

However, the tanker arrived in time to refuel the F-15 over Iran, allowing the fighter jet to continue its mission. The exact time of the incident, the F-15 variant involved, and the designated country for the emergency landing remain undisclosed.

Israeli officials have not commented on the report.

On 13/6, Israel launched Operation Roaring Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, critical infrastructure, military bases, and nuclear officials and experts. Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise 3, launching UAVs and missiles at Israel.

Iran claimed to have shot down several Israeli fighter jets, including an F-35, and captured a pilot. The IDF dismissed these claims as false and baseless.

Location of Iran and Israel. Graphic: CNN

On 22/6, the US deployed B-2 bombers and warships to strike Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran responded by firing missiles at a US base in Qatar, destroying a radar dome. Two days later, the conflict between Iran and Israel ended with a US-brokered ceasefire.

The 12 days of fighting resulted in over 900 deaths and more than 4,700 injuries in Iran, and 28 deaths and over 2,500 injuries in Israel.

The Israeli Air Force operates 66 US-made F-15 fighter jets, including F-15A/C air superiority variants and F-15I ground-attack aircraft, based on the F-15E Strike Eagle.

The force has seven Boeing 707 tankers and seven KC-130 tanker-transport aircraft. This is considered a significant limitation for the Israeli Air Force, restricting the time its fighter jets can operate over targets and the depth of penetration into enemy airspace.

Nguyen Tien (According to Times of Israel, AFP, AP)