Aerotrend.com

The Israeli Air Force claims it has destroyed the Airbus A340-313 used by Iranian officials, including Khamenei, which was at Tehran’s Mehrabad ​airport.

The Israeli Air Force says it has destroyed Iran’s “Air Force One” aircraft, an Airbus A340-313 which was used by senior Iranian officials ​and military leaders to travel both domestically and internationally. In its post on X, the service specifically mentioned that the aircraft was used by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and was located at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport.

At this stage it is not possible to verify these claims, as there is no imagery available – both from open sources and satellite – to confirm the destruction of the aircraft. However, at least the location of the aircraft might be confirmed, as historic flight tracking data by adsbexchange shows the aircraft last flew on Feb. 22, 2026, indeed landing at Mehrabad.

חיל-האוויר השמיד את מטוסו של מנהיג משטר הטרור האיראני בשדה התעופה ״מהאראבד״ שבטהרן – המטוס שימש את עלי ח׳אמנהאי, מנהיג משטר הטרור האיראני, בכירים נוספים ממשטר הטרור וגורמים בצבא איראן, לקידום רכש צבאי ולניהול קשרים עם מדינות הציר באמצעות טיסות פנים וחוץ.

השמדת המטוס פוגעת… pic.twitter.com/lOtRRIHTff

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 16, 2026

It is unclear when this airstrike was conducted, although the airport was hit multiple times since the start of Operations Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, inlcuding in the night between Mar. 15 and 16. Satellite photos in the previous days showed multiple vehicles and aircraft scattered across the airport and its runways to complicate targeting, but that did not stop strikes against Iran’s airlift fleet.

Heavy Israeli airstrikes hit Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport overnight, destroying at least one plane. pic.twitter.com/gXB7PBkvmz

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 16, 2026

In fact, Mehrabad hosted multiple transport aircraft in addition to the A340, including BAe Avro RJ85 jets, the lone KC-747 refueling aircraft, and C-130 Hercules aircraft. The latter two types were also struck, with the 747 (which was already said to have been destroyed last year) seen burning in videos online and the C-130s shown in videos by the U.S. Central Command.

Footage of the last Iranian KC-747 tanker burning after an Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s Mehrabad airport last week. pic.twitter.com/DIn9Qnkcsz

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 12, 2026

The destruction of Iran’s “Air Force One” is both symbolic and strategic. In fact, the aircraft was not only a symbol of the Iranian government both at home and abroad, but it also helped maintain relations with allies and proxies, as well as possibly moving materials.

The Iranian regime is losing air capability day by day. U.S. forces aren’t just defending against Iranian threats, we are methodically dismantling them. pic.twitter.com/CrJj2nFtHB

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 12, 2026

EP-IGA and Iran’s A340 fleet

The largest aircraft in Iran’s airlift fleet was the Airbus A340-313 quadjet, sporting the registration EP-IGA. The aircraft was first delivered in 1999 to Air Canada and later flew with a number of other companies, before being acquired by Iran in 2015.

The aircraft was reportedly acquired through Meraj Airlines from the jet’s latest operator in Pakistan, before being delivered to Mehrabad airport. The A340 was also reconfigured from commercial to VIP operations and received a new livery with the “Islamic Republic of Iran” markings and the Iranian flag on the tail.

Spotted in the U.S. at BWI last year during the UNGA. https://t.co/XDwYDAPvKt pic.twitter.com/SXeGPU1Sf3

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 16, 2026

The aircraft has been often spotted while transporting Iranian officials in diplomatic missions abroad, such as United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, visits to allies China and Russia, and negotiations in nearby countries such as Oman. The four-engine configuration and range of the A340 allowed Iran to undertake long-range flights even with all the restrictions the country was subject to regarding diplomatic clearances for airspace access and landing at foreign airports.

EP-IGA was not the only A340 in service in Iran, as the country was able to acquire at least 10 more aircraft by circumventing sanctions through front companies. All these aircraft were acquired second-hand and initially officially bounded to other countries, before appearing in Iran.

The runway at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport has been blocked with parked buses and helicopters, apparently to make it unusable and prevent further strikes or aircraft operations.

Satellite imagery from March 7 also shows visible damage at the airport following heavy bombing during… pic.twitter.com/GyG8NB2LCo

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 12, 2026

Among these aircraft are four aircraft previously operated by Turkish Airlines, which were retired in 2019 and stored in South Africa after being acquired by a company from Hong Kong. The aircraft were then re-registered in Burkina Faso and were officially headed for Uzbekistan, but instead landed in Iran in 2022.

The same year, using a similar system, Iran was able to acquire two A340-212s retired by the French Air and Space Force. The aircraft were flown to Indonesia after being acquired by local companies, and a year later they showed up in Iran.

Similarly, between 2023 and 2024, three more aircraft were acquired after being stored in Lithuania. The first two aircraft took off officially headed to the Philippines and Sri Lanka, before appearing in Iran, followed by the third aircraft a year later.