On March 6, 2026, Israeli forces carried out a precision airstrike on Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, destroying 16 IRGC Quds Force C-130 transport planes. The strike, confirmed by statements from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and corroborated by Planet Labs satellite imagery, targeted aircraft that formed a critical hub for Iran’s regional supply network.

Satellite and ground footage show the sequence of events: intact aircraft before the strike, fires engulfing the tarmac afterward, and wreckage scattered across the runway. Over 80 Israeli jets participated in the operation, demonstrating the scale and coordination required to neutralize this vital IRGC transport capacity.

Mehrabad Airport serves dual purposes, supporting both civilian aviation and military logistics. The destroyed aircraft were instrumental in moving weapons, fighters, and equipment to Iranian proxies in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, making this strike a significant disruption to Tehran’s regional operations. Analysts note that the loss of 16 transport planes may impair the IRGC’s ability to resupply its forces for months.

The operation underscores Israel’s continued focus on preemptively targeting key Iranian military infrastructure to degrade its operational reach. By striking at Mehrabad, Israel has severed a major logistical artery, sending a clear message about the precision and scope of its campaign against Iranian regional influence and proxy networks.