Iran War
$29 billion and counting: US report says 42 aircraft lost or damaged in Iran war
A report by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) says at least 42 American military aircraft were lost or damaged during the war in Iran, including advanced fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and uncrewed systems.
The report notes that the figure could rise further because combat operations are ongoing, some incidents remain classified, and attribution assessments are still underway.
The disclosure comes as the Pentagon estimates that military operations against Iran under Operation Epic Fury have already cost nearly $29 billion.
During a hearing on May 12, Pentagon finance chief Jules Hurst III said much of the increase reflected updated calculations for repairing or replacing damaged equipment.
According to the CRS report, the aircraft confirmed as lost or damaged include:
Four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II, one A-10 Thunderbolt II, seven KC-135 Stratotanker tankers, one E-3 Sentry, two MC-130J Commando II, one HH-60W Jolly Green II, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton.
The US Department of Defence has not released a consolidated assessment of combat losses.
The CRS, which provides legal and policy analysis to the US Congress, compiled its figures using media reports and official statements from the Department of Defence and United States Central Command.
The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets.
The report says the attacks killed several senior Iranian figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi shared the CRS report on X and said Iran had gained significant experience during two months of combat before a ceasefire in April.
Months after initiation of war on Iran, US Congress acknowledges loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 19, 2026
Our powerful Armed Forces are confirmed as 1st to strike down a touted F-35.
With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises.
He said Iran’s armed forces had learned important lessons and warned that Tehran would deliver “many more surprises” if President Donald Trump resumed military action against the Islamic Republic.
Araghchi also claimed that Iran had become the first country to shoot down an F-35 in combat, referring to the reported damage to a US stealth fighter.
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