A new Congressional Research Service (CRS) report states that 81 U.S. military aircraft, valued at up to $3.3 billion, have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict with Iran. The report, which utilizes data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), details losses across fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, including fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when President Donald Trump launched Operation Epic Fury, a series of airstrikes against Tehran conducted in partnership with Israel. Since that time, the U.S. military has faced retaliatory strikes that have targeted both aerial assets and regional military installations.
According to the CRS, the lost or damaged equipment includes one F-35A fighter jet and one E-3 Sentry. MQ-9 Reaper drones, primarily used for surveillance and search-and-rescue, account for more than 50% of the total aircraft losses. While some assets were destroyed, others have been repaired, such as eight F-15 Strike Eagles that returned to service after sustaining light damage during an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in September 2026.
For the American public, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 19 U.S. soldiers and injuries to hundreds more. Beyond military personnel, U.S. consumers are experiencing a direct impact on household expenses due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Because 20% of global oil shipments pass through this waterway, the disruption has contributed to higher domestic gasoline prices. The scale of the daily expenditure was estimated by analysts at $500 million during the first month of operations.
The report arrives as the administration weighs further military action. NBC News reported that President Trump and national security officials have discussed restarting large-scale operations and potential strikes in the coming weeks. While Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly conducting negotiations with Tehran, President Trump stated at an October 7 rally in San Antonio that a deal is not his "preferred outcome." Further military developments or potential strikes are being considered ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.