US Congress Lists $2.6bn in Aircraft Losses from Iran War

The US Congress has released a list of 42 US military aircraft damaged, destroyed, or lost during the war against Iran, with estimated losses totaling around $2.6bn, according to the Pentagon, CENTCOM, and media reports cited by Business Insider.

The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began in late February under the name Operation Epic Fury and involved extensive air, missile, and naval operations across the Middle East. Although fighting partially subsided after an April ceasefire, tensions in the region remain high.

Among the most valuable damaged aircraft was an E-3 Sentry reconnaissance plane stationed in Saudi Arabia. The reported losses also include an advanced F-35A fighter jet, several F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, KC-135 refueling tankers and dozens of MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Congress cautioned that the list may not be complete. The Pentagon has meanwhile raised its estimate of the total cost of the war to $29bn, much of it linked to equipment repairs and replacements.

(mja)