The aircraft the US has lost in the Iran warpublished at 09:50 BST
Image source, Social mediaFootage verified on 5 April appeared to show smouldering wreckage south of Isfahan, Iran
By Emma Pengelly and Alex Murray
The US has lost at least nine aircraft in the war so far, according to image analysis, official statements and briefings to US media.
CBS News reported on 5 April, citing US officials, that two transport planes, external sent to assist the F-15E rescue mission were unable to take off from a remote base in Iran. It reported the planes were destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Verified photos (including the one above) showed a smouldering aircraft wreckage in central Iran. BBC Verify has asked experts to analyse the debris to identify the aircraft type.
On 3 April, a fighter jet was shot down over central Iran. Debris in aftermath photos came from a US F-15E Strike Eagle, an expert told BBC Verify. That same day, the New York Times reported, external, citing US officials, that an A-10 Warthog aircraft crashed in the Gulf. Its pilot reportedly ejected before being rescued.
Images we verified on 29 March showed an E-3 Sentry command and control aircraft split in two at Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, following reports of an Iranian attack.
On 12 March, six crew members died when a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft went down in western Iraq, the US Central Command (Centcom) said. The circumstances are under investigation but Centcom ruled out hostile and friendly fire.
And on 2 March, three US F-15E jets were downed over Kuwait in what Centcom described as “an apparent friendly fire incident”. All six crew ejected safely, it said. BBC Verify confirmed video showing one F-15 spinning towards the ground west of Kuwait City and footage of a crew member next to a used parachute.
