Israel has intensified its offensive against Iran, launching over 60 jets to strike 20 key nuclear and weapons facilities in Tehran, marking Day 7 of a rapidly escalating war. The strikes follow Iran’s missile and drone barrage targeting Israeli cities.

Combat missions against Iran are the most challenging that an F-35 has flown, showcasing the jet's capabilities, an airpower expert said.

Iran’s tensions with Israel came to blows last week as both nations exchanged missiles across Middle Eastern airspace.

Iran’s HESA Kowsar and Saeqeh fighter jets, touted by Tehran as advanced, “100 percent indigenously made” fourth-generation aircraft, are in reality heavily modified or reverse-engineered versions of the American Northrop F-5 Tiger II from the 1960s.