• Israel declares air superiority over Tehran after a series of bombings.
• The Israeli Air Force claims success in destroying a significant portion of Iran's air defenses.
• Iran continues to respond with missile strikes despite losses, resulting in civilian casualties.

Israel has claimed "aerial superiority" over Tehran in the wake of escalating hostilities, marked by intensive airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran's military infrastructure and nuclear capabilities. Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin of the Israeli military stated, “Now we can say that we have achieved full air supremacy in the Tehran airspace,” underscoring the strategic advantage gained after extensive bombing operations targeting Iranian missile systems and military leaders The Hill, Business Insider.

The Israeli military's operations have utilized advanced F-35I stealth fighters, alongside fourth-generation aircraft such as F-15 and F-16 fighters, to conduct strikes across Iranian territory. This air assault has been described as the most challenging operation ever undertaken by the F-35s, revealing their tactical advantages in penetrating contested airspaces and conducting electronic warfare Business Insider, Newsweek.

Despite Israel's claims of air superiority, Iran's missile response has been lethal. Iranian forces have launched over 370 ballistic missiles since the onset of military operations, resulting in civilian casualties, including at least eight reported deaths in Israel from missile strikes affecting urban areas Business Insider, NPR.

The initiative named "Operation Rising Lion" has specifically targeted key Iranian facilities associated with nuclear enrichment, bolstered by U.S. military support despite official non-involvement in direct operations. President Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. could theoretically engage if necessary, but reiterated that the U.S. is currently not engaged in the air campaign BBC, Reuters.

Analysts note that Iran's underwhelming air defenses and outdated fighter fleet have contributed to Israel's apparent dominance in the skies. The Iranian military's inability to significantly counter Israeli strikes reflects a long-running disparity in military preparedness and technological advancement, attributed in part to U.S. sanctions and isolation Newsweek, The Hill.

As this conflict continues to unfold, Israel's military strategists acknowledge that while they have inflicted serious damage on Iranian military infrastructure, completely neutralizing Iran's nuclear capabilities may require further intervention, possibly including U.S. involvement with more sophisticated ordnance for deeper targets within Iran Reuters, BBC.