US Loses 16 Military Aircraft in Iran Conflict: Bloomberg Report

According to the data, at least 16 US military aircraft, including 10 Reaper drones and 6 high-value jets, have been destroyed or severely damaged since the hostilities began.

The report highlights that three F-15 fighter jets were accidentally downed by "friendly fire" in Kuwait, while five KC-135 tankers were damaged by Iranian missile strikes at a Saudi airbase. However, the most significant escalation occurred this Friday, as Iranian state media (IRNA) claimed that the IRGC successfully struck a sophisticated US F-35 stealth fighter over central Iran. If confirmed, this marks the first time an F-35 has been hit by Iranian defenses. While the drone losses are considered "attritable" by the Pentagon, the damage to advanced manned fighters signals a shift in the intensity of the regional air war.