An Iran Air aircraft destroyed during military strikes

An Iran Air passenger aircraft was reportedly destroyed on the ground at Bushehr Airport (BUZ / OIBB) during military strikes inside Iran on Tuesday. Iranian media outlets- state that the attack was carried out by Israeli forces as part of a broader joint operation with the United States targeting sites inside Iran. According to those reports, the aircraft was parked at the airport at the time it was struck. 

Iranian outlets have described the aircraft as a civilian passenger plane destroyed while stationary on the apron. Based on online flight-tracking data, it is believed the aircraft may have been the Airbus A319, a 24.1-year-old aircraft that was positioned to Bushehr Airport and listed as parked there as of the 28th of February.

Images circulating online appear to show heavy smoke rising from airport grounds and significant damage to what looks to be a narrowbody aircraft consistent with an A319.

Bushehr Airport primarily handles domestic services along Iran's southern Gulf coast, with narrowbody aircraft regularly operating to and from the field. 

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Iran Air

Code: IR/IRA

Aircraft: Airbus A319-111

Registration: EP/IEP

Serial Number: 1654

Engines: CFMI CFM56-5B5/P

First Flew 8th January 2002

Age: 24.1 Years

The Airbus A319 has had a busy life.

Delivery Date     Airline               Registration
23/01/2002     Zhejiang Airlines      B-2225
13/09/2003     Air China                   B-2225
19/04/2012     Rossiya                     EI-ETN
01/10/2016     Hyperion Aviation    9H-LCB
12/02/2018     Asia Sky Lines          EY-559
11/12/2019     Tehran Air                 EP-THF
29/01/2020     Iran Air                      EP-IEP