US loses 16 aircraft, 10 drones in Iran conflict: Bloomberg

WEB DESK: The United States has lost 16 aircraft, including 10 MQ-9 Reaper drones, during its ongoing conflict with Iran, with six additional fighter jets sustaining heavy damage, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The reported losses come as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its fourth week, amid an intensifying airstrike campaign across the Middle East.

According to the report, three US fighter jets were destroyed in Kuwaiti airspace, with preliminary assessments suggesting they may have been hit by friendly fire, although this has not been independently verified.

Separately, a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed mid-flight, killing all six crew members on board.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, with no confirmation on whether it was linked to combat or a technical fault.

The report added that five KC-135 aircraft were damaged in an Iranian missile strike targeting a Saudi airbase, highlighting risks to key logistical assets supporting US operations.

Iran has also claimed to have shot down nine Reaper drones, while another was reportedly intercepted over Jordan using a ballistic missile, underscoring the growing role of air defence systems in the conflict.

A separate report by the South China Morning Post noted a steady rise in US aircraft losses as military operations intensify.

There has been no official confirmation from the Pentagon on the reported losses.

Analysts say claims made during active conflicts are difficult to verify independently and may be shaped by information warfare.

If confirmed, the losses would mark a significant escalation in the air dimension of the conflict, raising questions about operational risks and the trajectory of the war.