Washington: The United States has lost 16 military aircraft and at least 13 service members in the ongoing war with Iran, Bloomberg reported.
The conflict, now in its third week, began on the 28th, with the US and Israel carrying out strikes on Iran. Iran has responded with repeated attacks targeting Israel and countries in the Gulf that host US military bases.
While Iran is said to have suffered heavy losses, the report notes that the US has also faced significant setbacks. US bases in Gulf nations have sustained major damage, and Iran has reportedly broken through American air-defence systems.
Among the aircraft losses, Bloomberg said three F-15 fighter jets and one KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft were brought down in an accidental strike by Kuwait’s forces. The KC-135 crash reportedly killed six personnel.
Overall, at least 13 US troops have been killed and more than 200 injured, the report said. Iran has also shot down 10 US drones, even as President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed US forces have destroyed Iranian launch sites and drones on the ground.
