Report Claims US Lost 42 Aircraft During Operation Epic Fury Against Iran

A new Congressional Research Service report claims that at least 42 US military aircraft, including fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones, were lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury launched against Iran on February 28, 2026. The report notes that the final number could still change due to ongoing combat activity and classification concerns. The operation reportedly involved coordinated US-Israeli military action against Iran and has triggered renewed debate over the scale and cost of the conflict.