WASHINGTON: Democratic Congressman Edward Case has claimed that the United States lost 39 aircraft during the war with Iran, intensifying debate in Washington over the scale of American military losses during the conflict.
According to reports aired by 24NewsHD TV, Case raised the issue during a special Senate committee hearing while questioning Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jay Hurst about damage sustained by US forces.
During the session, the congressman repeatedly pressed the Pentagon official regarding reports of aircraft destruction and operational losses linked to the Iran conflict. However, observers noted that Hurst avoided giving direct responses and provided limited details concerning the extent of the reported damage.
Moreover, the discussion gained attention after references emerged to a report published by the American defense website The War Zone. The report stated that the US Air Force conducted nearly 13,000 flights during the 39-day conflict with Iran.
Questions Grow Over Reported Aircraft Losses
According to the cited report, 39 American aircraft were destroyed during the war, while another 10 sustained varying levels of damage. Furthermore, the publication suggested that the real number of losses could exceed publicly available estimates.
The remarks quickly fueled speculation regarding the operational impact of the conflict on US military capabilities. Analysts also noted that lawmakers continue demanding greater transparency from defense officials over wartime assessments and expenditures.
Pentagon Yet to Confirm Figures
Meanwhile, the Pentagon and senior US military officials have not officially confirmed the numbers mentioned during the hearing. Despite that, the claims have sparked renewed political and public scrutiny over the human and material costs associated with the confrontation with Iran.
The issue continues to generate discussion among defense experts and policymakers as questions persist regarding the full extent of wartime losses.
