39 US fighter jets downed in conflict with Iran, Congress leader claims

WASHINGTON – The claims of heavy losses suffered by the US Air Force during a conflict scenario involving Iran surfaced during a congressional hearing, where lawmakers questioned Pentagon officials over reports that 39 military aircraft had been destroyed. During a Senate committee hearing, Democratic Congressman Ed Case pressed Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jay Hurst on reports regarding the alleged losses. However, the Pentagon official avoided giving a clear response and remained vague on several questions related to the matter. The congressman cited a report published by The War Zone, a US defence-focused website, which claimed that the US Air Force carried out nearly 13,000 sorties during the alleged 39-day conflict. According to the report, multiple aircraft and drones were either damaged or destroyed during the operations, including 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones as well as several F-15 and A-10 fighter jets. The report further alleged that a fifth-generation F-35A fighter aircraft was also hit inside Iranian airspace, although the pilot reportedly survived safely. It also claimed that some aircraft were destroyed in Kuwaiti airspace. Additionally, the report stated that certain US military assets were intentionally destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. However, the claims made in the report could not be independently verified through other sources, while Pentagon officials did not publicly confirm the reported losses during the hearing. Pentagon raises cost estimate of Iran war to $29 billion