Jerusalem / Mashhad – March 2026 The Israeli Air Force carried out a heavy airstrike on Mashhad International Airport in northeast Iran overnight, targeting fuel depots and several civilian aircraft on the ground. Among the aircraft reportedly hit were Boeing 777-212ER and Airbus A340-642 jets belonging to Mahan Air, the Iranian airline long accused by the U.S. and Israel of serving as a transport arm for regime officials, IRGC operatives, and sanctioned activities.

The strike marks a significant escalation, as Mashhad is Iran’s second-largest city and home to one of its most important international airports. Israeli sources have not yet issued an official statement, but the operation appears consistent with the IDF’s ongoing campaign to degrade the Iranian regime’s military and logistical capabilities following the elimination of senior leadership.

Mahan Air has been under heavy sanctions for years due to its role in transporting weapons, personnel, and regime figures across the region. The targeting of its aircraft, previously somewhat tolerated, signals a hardening Israeli approach that now includes dual-use civilian infrastructure supporting the regime.

No confirmed casualty figures have been released by Iranian authorities, though local reports mention damage to fuel storage facilities and multiple planes on the tarmac.