Iran War: Araghchi Says ‘Real Toll Is Far Higher’ as US Report Lists 81 Aircraft Lost or Damaged

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has cited a recent US Congressional Research Service (CRS) report that lists 81 American military aircraft as reportedly lost or damaged during US operations against Iran. Araghchi claimed the actual toll is “far higher” and questioned the transparency of the US military over the reported losses.

In a post on X on Thursday, Araghchi referred to the updated CRS assessment, contrasting it with an earlier report that had identified 42 US aircraft lost or damaged. “In May, the Congressional Research Service admitted that Iran’s Armed Forces had taken out 42 U.S. military aircraft. Now: 81. Real toll is far higher,” Araghchi said. “Era of Wasting Time Over”: Ghalibaf Says Hormuz to Remain Closed Until US Meets Conditions Under June MoU.

What the US Congressional Research Service Report Says

The CRS report, updated on October 5, lists 81 fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, including unmanned aircraft systems, that were reportedly lost or damaged during US operations against Iran since February 28. The assessment was compiled using US Department of Defense and US Central Command statements, media reports and findings from the Defense Department Inspector General.

However, the CRS has cautioned that the figure should not be interpreted as a tally of aircraft destroyed. The report notes that some damaged aircraft may have returned to active service and that the overall number could change because of classification issues, continuing military activity and questions over attribution.

MQ-9 Reaper Drones Account for More Than Half

The CRS list includes several types of US military aircraft, including fighter jets, tankers, helicopters and drones. According to the report, the tally includes 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A, two A-10s, seven KC-135 Stratotankers and one E-3 Sentry. It also lists two MC-130J aircraft, one HH-60W helicopter, one MQ-4C, three MQ-1 drones and 45 MQ-9 Reapers. The 45 MQ-9 Reapers alone account for more than half of the aircraft included in the CRS assessment. The report also lists an AH-64 Apache, four AH-6 Little Birds and an MH-60 Sea Hawk. US CENTCOM Rejects Iran's Claim of Hormuz Closure, Says 20 Million Barrels of Crude Moving Through.

Why the Figure Rose From 42 to 81

The latest figure is nearly double the 42 aircraft identified in the CRS assessment released in May. The increase does not necessarily mean that 39 additional aircraft were lost after the May assessment. The updated report incorporates new publicly available information, including later military statements, media reports and findings from the Pentagon's Inspector General. The report also includes aircraft damaged during an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in September, along with additional helicopter and drone losses identified in subsequent assessments.

Araghchi Questions US Military Transparency

Araghchi used the revised CRS figure to question Washington's account of the damage sustained during the conflict. He also alleged that US Central Command (CENTCOM) had prevented a sitting US senator from inspecting military bases that Washington says remain operational. The Iranian foreign minister argued that the reported figure of 81 aircraft does not represent the full extent of US military losses. His comments, however, reflect the Iranian government's interpretation of the CRS data. The US report itself does not conclude that all 81 aircraft were destroyed or that they were all shot down by Iranian forces.

Aircraft Losses and the Cost of the Iran War

The updated CRS assessment also highlights potential implications for US military readiness and the cost of replacing or repairing damaged aircraft. A September Congressional Budget Office estimate cited in the CRS report put the cost of replacing equipment losses as of August 1 at between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion, depending on the Pentagon's replacement plans.

The CRS has also flagged potential concerns over force readiness, particularly for aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry, whose numbers are limited and whose replacement could take time. The latest assessment therefore provides a broader picture of the military equipment losses associated with the US-Iran conflict, while leaving the precise number of permanently destroyed aircraft subject to further clarification.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 08, 2026 02:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).