Congressional Report Claims 81 US Aircraft Lost or Damaged in Iran War; Tasnim News Agency Disputes the Figure

According to the Saudi Gazette and CNN, a congressional report indicates that 81 US military aircraft have been lost or sustained damage during the conflict with Iran. The report, published on October 8, 2026, does not specify the exact models or types of aircraft involved, nor does it provide details on the cause of the losses. The value of the damaged or lost aircraft is estimated at up to $3.3 billion by CNN, though this figure is not mentioned in the Saudi Gazette article. Tasnim News Agency, also published on October 8, 2026, disputes the figure, stating that the number of US aircraft losses is 'far higher than 81.' The agency does not specify the exact number, nor does it name the source of its information. The Saudi Gazette and CNN attribute their report to a congressional report, though the specific report or its author is not named. No details are provided on the timeline of the war or the specific events leading to the aircraft losses.