WANA (Nov 11) – The Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force said: Based on the information available to us, the number of aerial refueling aircraft belonging to this regime is limited and is said to be between five to seven aircraft. However, according to our assessments and considering the number of fighter aircraft involved, more than 30 tanker aircraft may have participated in this operation.

 

In a televised interview, Brigadier General Pilot Hamid Vahedi, Commander of the Iranian Air Force, referring to the 12-day imposed war against Iran, said: NATO, the Western Bloc, the United States, and unfortunately some countries that are essentially proxies of Israel and the U.S., supported this attack, which is how this operation became possible.

 

He added: In order to fly such long distances and reach their targets, the Israeli aircraft needed aerial refueling both on the outbound route and on their return.

 

The Iranian Air Force Commander emphasized: Based on our information, the number of tanker aircraft available to this regime is limited—reported to be between five and seven aircraft. However, considering the scale of the operation, our assessment is that more than 30 tanker aircraft may have taken part.

A general view of the destruction of a residential building after the Israeli attacks on Tehran on June 15, 2025, in Tehran, Iran, July 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

He continued: According to their own statements, they had spent years planning the intelligence aspects of this attack, and unfortunately, as a result of this unjust assault, a number of outstanding commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran were martyred.

 

General Vahedi noted that pilots—referred to as the sharp-eyed eagles of the Air Force—along with young pilots and technical crews, entered the battlefield with full dedication during the 12-day war and successfully carried out their assigned missions. He stressed: We knew the aircraft we were facing were among the most modern and advanced in the world, but what empowered our Air Force personnel—both pilots and technical crews—was their deep faith in the country and in the leadership.

 

He added: The role of the technical crews is especially noteworthy. There were bases where the number of planned flights was normally quite limited. Yet during one of the nights of the 12-day war, they prepared nearly five times the base’s maximum operational capacity, enabling our fighter pilots to take off in formations of four or five aircraft to attack the enemy with strength and confidence.

 

In conclusion, the Commander stated: Throughout the 12-day war, the Air Force stood firm and ready. All of our operational aircraft across all bases were prepared for scramble missions, combat air patrol (CAP), and reconnaissance flights.