India, May 20 -- The scale of US military losses during the war against Iran is coming into sharper focus after a Congressional Research Service report revealed that the United States lost or suffered major damage to 42 aircraft during the first phase of Operation Epic Fury, exposing the intensity of the conflict and raising new questions about Pentagon transparency, battlefield readiness, and the soaring financial cost of the war.

The report, prepared for Congress and released amid growing scrutiny on Capitol Hill, documented losses ranging from advanced fighter jets and aerial refueling tankers to surveillance aircraft, combat rescue helicopters, and high-end drones. The findings represent one of the most detailed public assessments y...