A new congressional report concludes that 42 U.S. aircraft — including fixed‑wing, rotary‑wing and uncrewed drones — were lost or damaged in Iran during Operation Epic Fury, according to a review of news accounts and statements from the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command.
The report says the losses occurred amid sustained air, maritime and missile engagements across the Middle East. Combat activity fell during an April ceasefire, but strikes resumed within weeks and conditions in the region remain fluid.
"The conflict has involved air, maritime, and missile combat engagements across the Middle East. The pace of combat activity declined amid a ceasefire in April. Within weeks, some strikes resumed, and conditions remain fluid," the report states.
In Tehran, public weapons demonstrations have been staged as signals of deterrence and domestic strength while tensions remain high across the region.
President Donald Trump told reporters that negotiations with Iran were in the "final stages," while warning of additional strikes if Iran did not accept terms. "Either have a deal, or we’re going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won’t happen," he said.
The conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, which prompted Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states and opened a new front in Lebanon. The report notes that thousands of people have been killed across the region since the outbreak of hostilities.
What the report documents:
- 42 fixed‑wing, rotary‑wing or uncrewed aircraft reported lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury.
- Intermittent ceasefire in April briefly reduced hostilities, but air and missile strikes resumed weeks later.
- Diplomatic negotiations are reported as stalled despite public statements that talks were progressing.
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