Zein Khalil and Sahin Demir
21 October 2026•Update: 21 October 2026
Dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew close to Iran’s border earlier this week in a maneuver that may have been intended to provoke an Iranian military response, Israeli media reported Wednesday, citing US sources.
Israel’s private Channel 12 reported that the operation took place overnight Monday into Tuesday and involved dozens of fighter jets accompanied by Israeli Air Force refueling aircraft.
According to the broadcaster, the aircraft flew over Syrian and Iraqi territory before turning back toward Israel after approaching the Iranian border at a very short distance.
US sources told Channel 12 that Israel may have hoped Iranian forces would open fire on the aircraft, potentially providing a justification for launching an attack on Iran.
The report comes amid growing Israeli warnings of a possible Iranian attack during Israel’s elections scheduled for Oct. 27.