Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that the actual tally of American military aircraft downed or damaged during operations against Iran exceeds the figures recorded in an updated US Congressional Research Service report. In remarks posted on social media, Araghchi highlighted that the CRS tally had risen from 42 aircraft in May to 81, claiming the true toll is significantly higher while questioning the operational transparency of US Central Command.
The CRS document, titled “U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress” and updated on October 5, catalogues 81 fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and uncrewed aircraft reported lost or damaged since military operations began on February 28. Compiled from US Department of Defense data, CENTCOM statements, and Inspector General assessments, the inventory includes 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft, seven KC-135 Stratotankers, an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II transports, and an HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter. The tally also accounts for an AH-64 Apache, four AH-6 Little Birds, one MH-60 Seahawk, 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, three MQ-1 systems, and an MQ-4C Triton.
The CRS noted that its figures remain subject to ongoing revision due to intelligence classification, combat dynamics, and battle attribution, adding that certain damaged platforms have already returned to active service. Meanwhile, estimates from the Congressional Budget Office place the financial impact of equipment losses between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion, depending on procurement and replacement strategies adopted by the Pentagon.
The diplomatic exchange unfolds alongside reports indicating that the Pentagon instructed CENTCOM to conclude operational preparations for potential renewed combat actions against Iranian targets, though formal executive authorisation for a broad military campaign has not yet been finalized.
