Israeli Air Force (IAF) warplanes have reportedly struck and destroyed surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers being transported on trailers near Tehran.
According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, the IAF identified multiple trucks transporting weapons, including mobile SAM launchers, moving west of Iran’s capital.
“This morning, the Air Force identified several trucks carrying weapons, including trucks transporting surface-to-air missile launchers, moving from western Iran toward Tehran in an attempt to escape IDF strikes. In a rapid targeting process, the Air Force struck the trucks and destroyed the weapons and launchers,” the Air Force said.
The strikes are part of a broader campaign by the Israeli military to retain complete operational control over Iranian airspace.
חיל-האוויר זיהה בשעות הבוקר מספר משאיות המכילות אמצעי לחימה, ביניהן משאיות הנושאות משגרי טילי קרקע-אוויר, הנעות ממערב איראן לכיוון טהראן בניסיון להימלט מתקיפות צה”ל.
בסגירת מעגל מהירה, חיל-האוויר תקף את המשאיות והשמיד את אמצעי הלחימה והמשגרים. pic.twitter.com/7Vl4zfqjeE— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 16, 2025
In a statement made earlier at Tel Nof Air Base, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed their commitment to targeting “regime infrastructure and military threats, not civilians.”
“We control Tehran’s skies — hitting regime targets, not civilians like Iran does,” Katz said.
This latest action comes amid continued Israeli operations deep inside Iranian territory following a week of escalated hostilities. According to military officials, the IAF has conducted dozens of raids targeting missile storage sites, Revolutionary Guard positions, and air defense units across central Iran.
Defense analysts note that the destruction of these SAM systems while in transit suggests Iran’s military is struggling to relocate or protect key assets under sustained aerial bombardment.
The Israeli military has maintained air superiority through the use of precision-guided munitions, advanced electronic warfare systems, and persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage. The ongoing campaign aims to degrade Iran’s ability to launch retaliatory missile strikes or intercept Israeli aircraft.