US military has lost or damaged at least 81 aircraft since the war with Iran began, with the value of the losses estimated at as much as $3.3 billion, according to a Congressional Research Service report cited by the New York Post.The losses include some of the US Air Force’s most advanced aircraft, including an F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter and 12 F-15E Strike Eagle jets that have either been destroyed or damaged. The F-15E losses include three aircraft that were shot down in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait on March 2. Another F-15E was reportedly shot down over Iran the following month.The F-15E, which costs more than $30 million each, was among the aircraft affected as the conflict placed US forces and their bases across the region under sustained threat. Eight other F-15Es suffered minor damage during Iranian airstrikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on September 9 and 10. According to the report, those damaged aircraft have since been returned to service.The largest share of the aircraft losses involves MQ-9 Reaper drones. At least 45 of the unmanned aircraft have been lost, with each estimated to be worth between $30 million and $50 million. The Reaper is used by the US military for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions as well as carrying out missile strikes.
US-Iran tensions simmer
The Middle East remains tense as the fallout from the wider US-Iran conflict continues to reverberate across the region, with fresh attacks in Saudi Arabia, continued violence in Gaza and growing questions over the security of US troops.Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they launched ballistic and cruise missiles and drones at military facilities and airports in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile north of Riyadh. The attacks came as Saudi forces and allied Yemeni troops stepped up a major offensive against the Houthis.Meanwhile, Israelis marked the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. In Gaza, Palestinians continue to face widespread destruction and displacement, with Rafah among the areas largely reduced to rubble.
