US Lost 42 Aircraft and Drones in Iran War, Congressional Report Claims

At least 42 advanced American military aircraft and drones were destroyed or severely damaged during the ongoing war with Iran, according to a recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). The report warns that the actual number could be higher due to the fluid battlefield situation and the classified nature of military operations.

The losses are linked to “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint US-Israeli military campaign launched against Iran on February 28. According to the United States Department of Defense, the operation has already cost nearly $29 billion. During a congressional hearing on May 12, Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst said much of the increase in military spending came from repairing damaged equipment and replacing destroyed aircraft.

The CRS report lists the following US aircraft and drones as destroyed or heavily damaged during the conflict:

• 24 MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude long-range drones
• 4 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets
• 1 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter
• 1 A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft
• 7 KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft
• 1 E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft
• 2 MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft
• 1 HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter
• 1 MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drone

The Pentagon and United States Central Command have not yet released any official comprehensive list of combat losses. The CRS compiled its findings by analyzing fragmented Pentagon statements, CENTCOM releases, and media reports.

The conflict began after the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran on February 28, triggering a large-scale regional war. A temporary ceasefire later came into effect on April 8, although tensions remain high.

Following publication of the report, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared the findings on X and warned Washington against restarting military operations. He claimed Iran had gained valuable knowledge about US military strengths and weaknesses during the two-month conflict and threatened that future confrontations would bring even greater “surprises” for American forces.

Araghchi also claimed that Iran’s military had achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first force to successfully shoot down an American F-35 Lightning II in combat — a claim that has not been officially confirmed by the United States.