Israel sends dozens of fighter jets to Iran's border in show of force

Israel sent dozens of fighter jets and refueling aircraft on a demonstrative flight near Iran's border, according to Axios, citing Israeli and American officials. The operation was described as a show of force. The jets flew over 1,300 kilometers through Syrian and Iraqi airspace, approached the Iranian border, then turned back to Israel. Israel notified the US in advance, calling it an exercise to deter potential Iranian actions. Some US officials suggested Israel may have hoped to provoke an Iranian air defense response as a pretext for further strikes. The flight occurred a week before Israeli parliamentary elections and coincided with a Pentagon chief's visit, though sources said the events were unrelated.