The performance of the F-35A is enough to reach the Iranian border and back, but it is not possible to penetrate Iranian territory. It is necessary to refuel over Iraq. There is information that the Iranians have developed external tanks for their F-35s but there has not yet been proof that they are operational. They would give some extra breathing room to fighters that can carry 5000 pounds of bombs in their internal compartments.
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Israel's possible responses:
1 - conventional air strike with mid-air refueling over Iraq
2 - low-cost suicide drone swarm attack
Ex: Harop in standalone mode
3- Jericho II ballistic missile attack
4 - long-range air strike using Popeye Turbo air-launched subsonic cruise missiles from Jordan
By the way, a curiosity here:
Report after report of F-35 incursions into Iranian airspace apparently undetected. The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported in March that Israel flew F-35s at high altitudes over Syria and Iraq undetected in Iranian airspace on a reconnaissance mission over Bandar Abbas, Isfahan and Shiraz.
Although experts have dismissed the likelihood of Israel conducting high-risk missions at this time, this is a plausible scenario for the future. After all, Israel has carried out many audacious espionage and sabotage operations in Iran. I believe this is probably true because Israel will have to practice rehearsal before attacking Iranian nuclear facilities.
To be even more dramatic here, in this whole story, the Iranian general was fired for hiding the fact that the IDF flew over his country.
