Washington: US Democratic Congressman Ed Case announced that the United States has lost 39 aircraft since the onset of hostilities with Iran on February 28, referencing a report from a US defense publication. Case delivered these remarks during a special Senate committee hearing while questioning Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jay Hurst about the extent of damage incurred during the conflict.

According to Anadolu Agency, Case cited a report from The War Zone, a US defense news outlet, indicating that the US Air Force conducted nearly 13,000 flights during the conflict with Iran. The report detailed that 39 aircraft were destroyed, with an additional 10 sustaining varying levels of damage. Notably, it claimed that an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet was struck inside Iranian airspace and a Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft was destroyed.

During the hearing, Case queried Hurst about the Pentagon's calculation of retention costs for the damaged aircraft. Hurst responded that although there are associated costs, a precise calculation requires a comprehensive assessment of the aircraft's condition. He assured Case that he would provide further details in writing, emphasizing the complexity of estimating repair costs for military aircraft.

The report's claims remain unverified, and Pentagon officials did not publicly confirm the alleged losses during the hearing. The conflict's escalation began after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, prompting retaliatory measures from Tehran against Israel and US allies in the Gulf. This led to the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

A temporary ceasefire was brokered on April 8 through Pakistan's mediation efforts, although subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to yield a permanent resolution. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without a specified deadline.