The "Wing of Zion" (which has been dubbed Israel's "Air Force One") departed Israeli airspace on Wednesday and touched down in Crete before taking off again and landing in Israel. Israeli officials maintained that the flight was a pre-scheduled routine training exercise conducted as part of the aircraft's annual maintenance program, dismissing speculation that this was somehow tied to the ongoing tension with Iran and supposed need to protect the aircraft.
The plane's departure from Israel comes amid escalating tensions with Iran. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Commander Majid Mousavi stated on Wednesday that Iran's missile stockpile has expanded since the "12-Day War" with Israel last year, according to state media, following threats by US President Donald Trump to intervene regarding anti-government protests in Iran. "We are at peak readiness," state media quoted Mousavi as saying.
On Tuesday, Trump tweeted on social media that he was canceling all meetings with Iranian officials "until the senseless killing of protesters stops." Trump called on Iranian citizens to continue demonstrating against the regime, writing: "Iranian patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price ... HELP IS ON ITS WAY."
