US Military Aircraft Losses in Iran War Total 42, Costs Hit $29 Billion

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has disclosed that the United States military has either lost or sustained damage to at least 42 aircraft during the Iranian conflict. The report indicates that this number may rise further, owing to ongoing military operations, classification issues, and difficulties in confirming specific damage reports.

Initiated on February 28, the conflict saw the U.S. and Israel carrying out coordinated strikes against Iranian positions. The report highlighted that prominent Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, met their end in these assaults.

The Pentagon has recently verified that military expenditures associated with Operation Epic Fury have escalated to almost $29 billion. During a May 12 hearing, Pentagon finance chief Jules Hurst III noted that much of this increase resulted from revised estimates for the repair and replacement of damaged military assets.

Reported Aircraft Damage

According to the CRS, a variety of aircraft were reported as either destroyed or damaged throughout the conflict, including:

• Four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets

• One F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft

• One A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft

• Seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft

• One E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft

• Two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft

• One HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter

• Twenty-four MQ-9 Reaper drones

• One MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone

The U.S. Department of Defense has yet to issue a comprehensive official evaluation of the combat losses. As per the CRS, the data was gathered from various sources, including news reports, the Department of Defense’s statements, and updates from United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

Iran's Reaction to the Findings

Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, responded to the CRS findings by sharing the report on social media platform X. He contended that Iran acquired significant military insights during the two months of fighting before the ceasefire in April.

Araghchi cautioned that Iran would leverage the knowledge gained if U.S. military operations were to resume. He further claimed that Iranian forces were the first to successfully engage an F-35 fighter jet.

He asserted that Iran’s military is now in a stronger position, ready to deliver “many more surprises” in any future conflicts with the United States.