The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that during the 12 days of the war with Iran, from June 13 to 24, 2025, the Israeli Air Force carried out 1500 combat sorties, in which five types of fighter jets played a key role. According to a report published on the IDF website, Operation Am Calavi was led by upgraded F-16C "Barak" fighters. Despite being the oldest in the IDF's arsenal, these aircraft were equipped with advanced technological systems adapted to carry out complex missions in the Iranian theater of operations. In second place was the F-35I "Adir", praised for its ability to carry out "quiet, precise and covert operations" thanks to its stealth technology and integration with Israeli control systems. Iranian media have repeatedly claimed that their air defenses shot down several F-35s, but Israel has called these claims "ridiculous lies", citing a lack of evidence. Third place went to the F-16I Storm, a 13-ton multirole fighter equipped with advanced radars and combat systems that collected intelligence in real time. Fourth place went to the F-15, upgraded for long-range operations and capable of carrying significant ammunition. Rounding out the top five were the F-15I Thunderbolt, a strategic bomber capable of reaching speeds of up to 1482 km/h and flying up to 4450 km at low altitude, allowing them to hit key targets.

On the second day of the operation, Israel claimed to have gained control over western Iranian airspace, including Tehran. After the war ended, the IDF confirmed that it had maintained this advantage. According to the report, the Iranian Air Force and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) did not carry out a single combat sortie to counter Israeli forces. In the final days of the conflict, Israel reported the destruction of 15 Iranian fighter jets at six airfields, backed up by photographs of the destruction. Iranian official sources refrained from commenting on the matter.

Operation Am Qalavi, which began on June 13, was the largest in the history of the Israeli Air Force. According to Reuters, Israel used about 200 aircraft, including F-35I, F-16C/I and F-15I, to strike more than 100 targets, including nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, as well as military bases, radars and weapons depots. According to The Times of Israel, the attack began with preemptive strikes against the IRGC leadership and nuclear scientists, which allowed key figures in the Iranian military machine to be neutralized. In particular, the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, was eliminated. Strikes on airfields, including the airport in Tabriz, were accompanied by the destruction of runways and ammunition depots, which paralyzed the Iranian air force.

According to Newsweek, the F-35I Adir played a critical role in suppressing Iranian air defenses, including the S-300, allowing the F-16s and F-15s to use low-cost glide bombs like the JDAM and SPICE to hit targets. Joint modifications to the F-35I with the U.S. increased their range without refueling while maintaining stealth capabilities. The Aviationist notes that the Israeli jets used a combination of precision-guided munitions like the GBU-39 and GBU-28 to destroy hardened bunkers and nuclear infrastructure. The success of the operation was attributed to months of meticulous reconnaissance and coordination with U.S. intelligence, which provided target locations.