ISLAMABAD: Democratic Congressman Ed Case stated that the United States lost about 39 aircraft during operations against Iran, according to a report from the defense publication The War Zone.
Case made the remarks on Tuesday during a special Senate committee hearing while questioning Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jay Hurst. He noted the report was nearly one month old at the time of the hearing.
The conflict began on February 28 with US and allied strikes on Iranian targets. Case highlighted that another 10 aircraft sustained varying degrees of damage. He suggested actual losses could exceed the reported figures.
According to details from the cited report, the 39 destroyed aircraft included 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones along with several F-15 and A-10 platforms. One F-35A stealth fighter was reportedly hit during operations inside Iranian airspace, though the pilot ejected safely.
Pentagon officials declined to confirm the precise numbers during the hearing. Hurst provided no detailed response on replacement costs or retention expenses for the lost assets.
The disclosure has drawn attention to the scale of aerial operations in what has been described as Operation Epic Fury. US forces conducted thousands of sorties over several weeks targeting Iranian military infrastructure, nuclear-related sites, and command centers.
Reports indicate the campaign lasted around 39 days before a fragile ceasefire took hold in April. Iran responded with missile barrages, drone swarms, and asymmetric attacks that contributed to US losses through combat, accidents, and other operational factors.
The War Zone report, widely referenced in congressional discussions, visualizes these losses based on open-source intelligence and official data leaks. It places the monetary value of destroyed aircraft in the range of hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars, depending on specific platforms.
Replacement timelines for advanced fighters and drones extend into years due to production backlogs and supply chain constraints. MQ-9 Reapers, a workhorse for surveillance and strikes, form a significant portion of the tally.
This comes amid broader scrutiny of war costs. Separate estimates place total US expenditure on the Iran campaign at around $24-29 billion so far. Fuel prices in the US have risen to approximately $4.50 per gallon amid disruptions in energy markets following the conflict.
Regional fallout includes Iran’s temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which affected global oil flows. Diplomatic efforts continue to stabilize the ceasefire and address remaining tensions.
Congressional Democrats, including Case, have pressed the administration for clearer accounting of both human and material costs. Republicans have defended the operation as necessary to degrade Iranian capabilities, citing the elimination of key leadership targets including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in initial strikes.
Background to the escalation traces to long-standing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program, regional proxies, and ballistic missile development. The February strikes followed intelligence assessments of imminent threats.
Market reactions have been mixed. Defense stocks saw initial gains on expected replacement orders, while broader economic concerns linger over sustained high energy prices and military readiness.
Analysts note that while US air superiority remained dominant, the losses underscore vulnerabilities in contested airspace against integrated air defense systems and low-cost asymmetric threats.
The hearing highlighted questions over long-term force posture. With depleted munitions stockpiles and aircraft losses, the Pentagon faces pressure to accelerate procurement under its proposed $1.5 trillion budget request.
Future developments remain uncertain. Lawmakers from both parties are seeking detailed briefings on exit strategies, Strait of Hormuz reopening plans, and replenishment timelines.
The revelations are likely to fuel ongoing debates in Washington about the strategic outcomes and financial burden of the Iran campaign.