Iran Claims 240 NATO Fighter Jets Scrambled to Shield Israeli Bases During April 13 Strike

Major General Gholam-Ali Rashid has claimed that during Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israel last month, 240 fighter jets from the U.S.-led NATO alliance were deployed to safeguard Israeli military installations under Iran’s operation dubbed Operation True Promise.

Rashid disclosed these details in an interview with the Persian newspaper ‘Iran’, published on Sunday. He serves as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.

According to General Rashid, Iran's armed forces initiated a complex assault late on April 13, deploying drones and missiles against Israeli targets. This action was triggered by Israeli airstrikes in Damascus on April 1, resulting in the deaths of two Iranian Quds Force generals and several officers.

General Rashid emphasized the extensive defensive measures taken by the U.S.-led NATO alliance to shield Israel during the Iranian offensive. He revealed that 240 fighter jets from NATO countries were mobilized alongside numerous anti-missile systems to protect Israeli military installations.

Despite these efforts, Iranian missiles managed to breach the defense shields, striking and incapacitating two Israeli military centers. “Iran's powerful missiles passed through the missile defense shields and crushed the two Israeli military centers of Nevatim and Shalakhim,” he said. He stressed that Israel “did not dare to show the world pictures of the two targeted military bases.”

General Rashid asserted that without the intervention of the U.S., NATO, and other regional allies, a significantly higher number of Iranian projectiles would have hit Israeli targets. He highlighted the effectiveness of Iran's offensive capabilities, noting that the initial strike utilized only 20% of the Aerospace Division's offensive power.

Furthermore, General Rashid indicated that Iran was prepared to unleash the remaining 80% of its offensive capability in subsequent waves of attacks.

These revelations follow statements by Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif, who claimed last week that ten countries had supported Israel during Operation True Promise but were unable to repel Iran's retaliatory strike.