US loses or damages 81 aircraft in Iran war, report shows

A Congressional Research Service report documents losses or damage to at least 81 US military aircraft since Feb. 28, as the cost of the conflict mounts and President Donald Trump keeps the option of further military action against Iran open.

At least 81 US military aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling planes, helicopters and drones, have been lost or damaged during operations against Iran, according to a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS).

The figures compile incidents recorded since Feb. 28 using Pentagon records, US Central Command statements, military inspector general findings and media reports.

The report documents extensive losses among uncrewed aircraft, as well as damage to combat jets and support aircraft. The figures may be revised because of classification restrictions, ongoing military operations and uncertainties over attribution.

Drones and fighter jets among the losses

The report lists 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones and three MQ-1 aircraft as having been downed during operations. An MQ-4C Triton also crashed in a flight mishap.

Among crewed combat aircraft, 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were affected. Three were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait, one was downed over Iran, and eight sustained light damage during an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan before returning to service.

Iranian ground fire also damaged an F-35A Lightning II, while two A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft were lost or heavily damaged.

Refueling and support aircraft also hit

The losses extended to aircraft supporting US military operations.

Seven KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft were affected, including one that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members, and five reportedly damaged on the ground in Saudi Arabia.

An E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft sustained a direct hit, while two MC-130J special operations transport aircraft were deliberately destroyed during a rescue mission.

Seven military helicopters, including AH-64 Apache and AH-6 Little Bird models, were also lost or damaged.

War costs reach billions of dollars

The reported aircraft losses come as the financial burden of the conflict continues to grow.

A September report by the Lead Inspector General estimated that the campaign had cost $33.4 billion through late June, including $3.7 billion in equipment losses. The Congressional Budget Office projected that replacing damaged or destroyed military hardware could cost up to $3.3 billion.

The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian missile and drone attacks across the region and a severe disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict has continued for more than seven months, contributing to rising global energy prices as commercial oil traffic through the strategic waterway has been effectively halted.

Trump keeps military option open

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington could still take action against Iran, while claiming that the country was suffering severe military and economic setbacks.

Asked by Anadolu why a potential US response might be linked to the Nov. 3 midterm elections rather than carried out immediately, Trump replied: "We may. We will see."

He added that Iran was "failing badly," claiming that its military had been defeated, that it had no navy or air force, and that inflation had reached 300%.

Trump did not provide details about possible military action or indicate when a decision might be made.

Ceasefire framework remains stalled

The United States and Iran signed a framework agreement in June following mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar, with the aim of halting hostilities and paving the way for negotiations.

Implementation has since stalled amid disagreements over security arrangements and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest aircraft-loss figures underscore the military and financial costs of the conflict, while Trump's remarks leave open the possibility of further US action against Tehran.

Source:AA