The United States, in coordination with Israel, initiated Operation Epic Fury (OEF) against Iran on February 28, 2026, involving air, maritime, and missile combat across the Middle East. Following a ceasefire in April, some strikes resumed, maintaining fluid conditions. A Congressional Research Service report details 42 fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, including uncrewed aircraft, reportedly lost or damaged in OEF, based on news reports and statements from the Department of Defense (DOD) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W. Hurst III testified on May 12, 2026, that the DOD’s cost estimate for military operations in Iran has increased to $29 billion, primarily due to refined estimates for equipment repair or replacement. The DOD, operating under a secondary "Department of War designation" per Executive Order 14347 dated September 5, 2025, has not published a comprehensive assessment, and the number of damaged or destroyed aircraft remains subject to revision due to classification, ongoing combat, and attribution challenges. Download the document here.
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