Araghchi Says US Aircraft Losses in Iran War Far Higher Than Reported

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that the actual number of US military aircraft lost during the conflict with Iran is significantly higher than publicly acknowledged by Washington. In a post on X on Thursday, Araghchi cited an updated Congressional Research Service (CRS) assessment, saying the figure had risen from 42 aircraft in May to 81 aircraft reportedly lost or damaged.

The updated CRS report, titled U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress, lists 81 fixed-wing, rotary-wing and unmanned aircraft reportedly lost or damaged since February 28. The compilation includes 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A, two A-10s, seven KC-135 tankers and several helicopters and support aircraft. However, the CRS describes the figure as “lost or damaged,” rather than all being aircraft destroyed or shot down by Iran, and says the tally remains subject to revision.

Araghchi also questioned the US military’s transparency over the reported losses, alleging that US Central Command (CENTCOM) had prevented a sitting US senator from inspecting bases that Washington says remain undamaged. “Real toll is far higher,” he wrote, adding, “You can fool all the people some of the time…” The Iranian minister did not provide independent evidence establishing that all 81 aircraft were downed by Iranian forces, while the CRS compilation itself includes different causes of loss or damage, including combat incidents, accidents and friendly fire.