Factfile of 2026 US & Iran War
- DRASInt® Risk Alliance
- May 24
- 12 min read
Updated: May 26
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Aim of the War and Objectives
The primary objective of the US in its war with Iran was to prevent Iran from emerging as a stronger military and nuclear power in the Middle East. Through military operations, sanctions, diplomatic pressur and strategic containment policies, the US sought to limit Iran’s nuclear development capabilities, reduce its regional influence and weaken its military infrastructure. Although the US achieved certain short term tactical successes, particularly in delaying or disrupting aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme and military operations, it did not succeed in permanently preventing Iran from remaining a significant regional military and nuclear capable power.
The war continues to retain the potential for escalation and the region remains highly volatile. However, all major actors involved, including the US, Iran and regional allies, possess strong strategic incentives to avoid a full scale war due to the extremely high economic, political and humanitarian costs associated with such a conflict. Consequently, the confrontation has largely evolved into a prolonged “shadow conflict” characterised by sanctions, proxy warfare, cyber operations, targeted strikes, intelligence operations and diplomatic pressure.
Several factors contributed to the limited strategic success of the US. First, despite sustained military and economic pressure, the US was unable to eliminate Iran’s scientific expertise and long term nuclear development capability. Technical knowledge, research infrastructure and human capital continued to persist within Iran’s strategic institutions. Second, Iran demonstrated considerable strategic adaptability by strengthening asymmetric warfare capabilities, including missile systems, drone technology, cyber capabilities and proxy networks across the Middle East.
Additionally, although economic sanctions imposed substantial strain on Iran’s economy, they failed to achieve regime collapse or compel a complete reversal of Iran’s strategic and geopolitical objectives. Iran also maintained its regional influence through alliances with non state actors and strategic partnerships in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. As a result, while US military actions produced tactical disruption, they did not lead to a permanent reduction in Iran’s military capability, nuclear potential or geopolitical influence.
The assessment therefore indicates a gap between tactical military outcomes and broader long term strategic objectives.
Refer to the factfile for supporting evidence and detailed assessment. Factfile of US - Iran War
Events that Unfolded
Date | Event |
Apr 12, 2025 | US-Iran nuclear negotiations begin via Omani mediation following letter from President Trump to Supreme Leader Khamenei. |
Jun 22, 2025 | Operation Midnight Hammer: 7 B-2 bombers drop 14 GBU-57 MOP bunker busters on Fordow and Natanz. Submarine fires Tomahawks at Isfahan. This is a separate prewar operation. |
Sep 2025 | New international sanctions imposed on Iran following June 2025 strikes. |
Jan 2026 | Protests across Iran following economic deterioration. Iranian Ministry of Health reports 30,000 killed in government crackdown. |
Feb 25, 2026 | US Treasury imposes sanctions on 30 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Iran's oil network. |
Feb 28, 2026, 01:15 UTC | US and Israel launch Operation Epic Fury (US) / Operation Roaring Lion (Israel). Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei assassinated in opening strike. |
Feb 28, 2026, 06:35 UTC | CENTCOM officially announces commencement of airstrikes against Iran. |
Feb 28, 2026, within hours | Iran launches Operation True Promise IV. IDF estimates approximately 170 ballistic missiles fired on Day 1. Missile strikes confirmed at USN Fifth Fleet service center in Bahrain at 09:26 UTC. |
Mar 2, 2026 | IRGC officially confirms Strait of Hormuz closed to 'unfriendly nations.' Vessels warned via VHF radio. |
Mar 3, 2026 | CENTCOM releases First 72 Hours Fact Sheet: 1, 700 targets struck. |
Mar 9, 2026 | CENTCOM releases First 10 Days Fact Sheet: 5, 000 targets struck, 50 Iranian vessels damaged or destroyed. |
Mar 12, 2026 | KC-135 refueling aircraft crashes over western Iraq in midair collision. 6 US crew members died. |
Mar 15, 2026 | Iran fires Sejjil solid fuel MRBM for the first time. |
Mar 19, 2026 | US launches aerial campaign targeting Iranian naval vessels to reopen Strait of Hormuz. |
Mar 27, 2026 | E-7A Wedgetail radar aircraft destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base. |
Apr 7, 2026 | Two week ceasefire announced between US and Iran. |
Apr 8, 2026 | Israel launches strikes on Lebanon, 357 killed in one day. |
Apr 13, 2026 | US announces naval blockade of Iranian ports. |
Apr 21, 2026 | Trump extends ceasefire indefinitely. Writes to Congress: 'The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated. There has been no exchange of fire between the US Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026.' |
May 5, 2026 | Operation Epic Fury formally concluded. |
Casualties
US Military Casualties
Metric | Figure |
US KIA, Pentagon DCAS names list | 13 individually identified service members |
US KIA, CENTCOM (Apr 8, 2026) | 13 confirmed killed in action |
US KIA, Wikipedia tally | 15 total: 7 direct combat, 2 non combat hostile area related, 6 KC-135 crash (Mar 12) |
US KIA, CRS R48887 | 13 as of March 23, 2026 |
US wounded, CENTCOM | 538 military personnel wounded |
US wounded, IranWarLive | 365 wounded (as of May 5, 2026) |
Friendly fire, early March | 3 F-15E aircraft shot down in Kuwait. Friendly fire incident. |
Israeli Casualties
Metric | Figure |
Total killed, Wikipedia | 47 killed: 18 IDF soldiers, 28 civilians, 1 contractor |
Total killed, IranWarLive (Apr 23) | 23 killed |
Total injured | 8, 590 |
Iranian Casualties
Source | Killed | Wounded |
Iranian Foundation of Martyrs (official, Apr 19) | 3, 468 | 15, 000 |
Iranian Red Crescent Society (Apr 27) | 3, 400 | 26, 500 |
HRANA, Human Rights Activists in Iran (Apr 7) | 3, 636 (1, 701 civilians; 1, 221 military; 714 unclassified) | 26, 500 |
IDF claim (Jerusalem Post, Mar 15) | 6, 000 IRGC members killed | 15, 000 wounded |
Lebanese Casualties
Source | Killed | Wounded / Other |
Lebanese Health Ministry (Wikipedia) | 2, 586 | 8, 020 wounded; 1.6M displaced |
Lebanese Health Ministry (Al Jazeera, May 20) | 2, 702 |
|
Hezbollah internal sources | 400 fighters |
|
IDF claim | 1, 700 fighters |
|
Apr 8 single day | 357 killed |
|
Casualties in Other Countries (Iranian Strikes)
Country | Killed | Injured |
Iraq | 117 | 361 |
United Arab Emirates | 13 | 224 |
Kuwait | 10 | 115 |
Bahrain | 3 | 42 |
Saudi Arabia | 3 | 29 |
Oman | 3 | 15 |
France | 3 | 9 |
Philippines | 2 | 0 |
Jordan | 0 | 29 |
Qatar | 0 | 20 |
Seafarers, Strait of Hormuz | 12 killed or missing |
|
Combined Casualties (All Parties)
Metric | Lower Estimate | Upper Estimate |
Total killed, all countries | 6, 285 | 8, 817 |
Total injured, all countries | 44, 511 |
|
Displaced persons (Lebanon) | 1.6M |
|
Weapons Deployed US / Coalition Weapons Confirmed Deployed
Weapon / Platform | Type | Confirmed Use / Notes |
B-1 Lancer | Bomber | Confirmed in CENTCOM First 72H and First 10D Fact Sheets. |
B-2 Spirit | Stealth Bomber | Confirmed. Used to deliver GBU-57 MOP bombs at Fordow and Natanz (Operation Midnight Hammer, Jun 2025). Also confirmed in Epic Fury Fact Sheets. |
B-52 Stratofortress | Strategic Bomber | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. |
F-15 (variants) | Fighter / Strike | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. 3 F-15Es lost in friendly fire, Kuwait, early March. |
F-16 Fighting Falcon | Fighter | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. |
F/A-18 Super Hornet | Carrier Fighter | Confirmed. Launched from USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford. |
F-22 Raptor | Stealth Fighter | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. |
F-35 Lightning II | Stealth Fighter | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets and Al Jazeera. |
A-10 Thunderbolt II | Attack Jet | Confirmed, CENTCOM Fact Sheets and CNN. |
EA-18G Growler | Electronic Attack | Confirmed, jamming and anti radiation missiles. Electronic warfare / air defense suppression. |
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye | AEW&C | Confirmed in First 10 Days Fact Sheet. |
E-3G Sentry AWACS | AEW&C | Confirmed deployed. 1 aircraft destroyed during the conflict. |
E-7A Wedgetail | AEW Radar | 1 aircraft destroyed at Prince Sultan Air Base, March 27, 2026. Estimated value: $700M. |
U-2 Dragon Lady | Reconnaissance | Confirmed in First 10 Days Fact Sheet. |
P-8 Poseidon | Maritime Patrol | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. |
RC-135 | Reconnaissance | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. |
EC-130H Compass Call | Electronic Warfare | Confirmed in First 10 Days Fact Sheet. |
MQ-9 Reaper | Armed Drone | Confirmed ISR and strike missions. Up to 24 lost during the conflict. |
LUCAS Drone | One Way Attack Drone | Combat debut in this conflict. Cost: $35, 000 each. Length: 10 ft. |
Tomahawk cruise missile | Cruise Missile | Fired from Arleigh Burke destroyers in Arabian Sea. Cost: $3.5M each. Approx. 400 expended in first 6 days. |
Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) | Ground Launched Missile | Combat debut in this conflict. |
GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) | Bunker Buster Bomb | 14 dropped on Fordow and Natanz (Operation Midnight Hammer, Jun 2025). 30, 000-lb bomb. First combat use. |
SM-3 interceptor | Ship Launched Interceptor | Used against ballistic missiles. Significant inventory depletion during conflict. |
SM-6 interceptor | Ship Launched Interceptor | Used against cruise missiles and drones. Cost: $3M each. |
Patriot PAC-3 | Ground Based Interceptor | Deployed across Gulf states for low altitude ballistic missile defense. |
THAAD | High Altitude Interceptor | Deployed for high-altitude intercept. 1–2 AN/TPY-2 THAAD radars destroyed during conflict. |
HIMARS (M142) | Rocket Artillery | Confirmed, CENTCOM Fact Sheets and Stars & Stripes. |
C-RAM | Base Defense System | Confirmed in CENTCOM Fact Sheets. |
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) | Aircraft Carrier | Confirmed operational in theater. F/A-18s launched Feb 28. |
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) | Aircraft Carrier | Confirmed operational in theater. |
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers | Guided Missile Destroyer | Confirmed, launched Tomahawks and Standard Missiles. |
Iranian Weapons Deployed, Operation True Promise IV
Weapon / Platform | Type | Confirmed Use / Notes |
Shahab-3 / Ghadr-110 | MRBM | Primary strike weapon. IDF estimated 170 launched on Day 1 alone. |
Sejjil | Solid Fuel MRBM | Combat debut: March 15, 2026. Length: 18m. Warhead: 700kg. Range: 2, 000km. Two-stage solid propellant. |
Shahed-136 family | One Way Attack Drone | Primary drone weapon. 4, 415 drone attacks against Gulf states in first weeks. |
Land attack cruise missiles | Cruise Missile | Fired at oil refineries in Saudi Arabia and UAE infrastructure. |
Anti ship missiles | Anti Ship Missile | Used against vessels in and near Strait of Hormuz. |
Naval mines | Underwater Mine | Deployed in Strait of Hormuz. US struck 16 Iranian minelaying vessels (CENTCOM statement). |
IRGC speedboats / fast attack craft | Fast Attack Craft | Used to harass shipping. US sank 7 small Iranian boats. |
Midget submarines | Submarine | IRGC Navy deployed in Strait of Hormuz operations. |
Unspecified new munitions | Unknown | Breaking Defense reports Iran launched 'a handful of new munitions' targeting Diego Garcia. Types not publicly confirmed. |
Strike Volumes, Official Pentagon Figures
Timeframe | US Targets Struck | Iranian Vessels Hit |
First 12 hours | 900 strikes |
|
First 72 hours | 1, 700 | |
First 10 days | 5, 000 | 50 damaged or destroyed |
Volume of Iranian Attacks
Metric | Figure |
Ballistic missiles fired, Day 1 (IDF estimate) | 170 |
Total missile attacks on Gulf states, first weeks | 1, 372 |
Total drone attacks on Gulf states, first weeks | 4, 415 |
Missiles fired at Jordan (first two weeks) | 119 (60 missiles, 59 drones) |
Jordanian intercept rate | 108 of 119 projectiles intercepted |
Merchant ships affected in Strait of Hormuz | 17 damaged (7 abandoned), 2 captured, 1 tugboat sunk |
Costs US
Period / Metric | Cost |
Operation Midnight Hammer (Jun 2025, pre war nuclear strikes) | $2.04B–$2.26B |
First 100 hours, Operation Epic Fury | $3.7 billion |
First 6 days, Pentagon estimate to Congress | $11.3 billion |
First 6 days, AEI estimate (incl. pre-positioning) | $11.2B–$14.5B |
First 12 days, CSIS estimate | $16.5 billion |
Daily operational rate (active operations) | $891 million/day |
Daily, air operations | $30 million/day |
Daily, naval operations | $15 million/day |
Daily, ground operations | $1.6 million/day |
Cost per aircraft carrier per day | $6 million |
Cost per destroyer per day | $5 million |
Iran
Source | Figure |
Iranian government (direct economic damage) | $270 billion |
Internal Iranian sources | $300B – $1 trillion |
Jerusalem Post citing Iranian sources (Apr 9) | Up to $145 billion |
Israeli
Metric | Figure |
Total economic damage to Israel | $50 billion as of April 30, 2026 |
Global Economic Impact
Metric | Figure |
Strait of Hormuz, share of global oil transit | 20% of global petroleum; 20% of global LNG |
Vessels using Strait, pre conflict monthly | 3, 000/month |
Vessels using Strait, during crisis | 5% of pre-war level |
Tankers stranded in Arabian Gulf | 150 |
Oil price peak | Above $100/barrel |
Arab Gulf states, production impact | Several forced to cut or suspend oil production following Iranian attacks. |
Equipment And Weapons Losses US
Item | Quantity | Est. Value |
F-15E Strike Eagle | 4 destroyed (3 friendly fire Kuwait; 1 other) | $100M each |
MQ-9 Reaper drone | Up to 24 destroyed | $30M each |
AN/TPY-2 THAAD radar | 1–2 destroyed | $485M–$970M total |
E-3G Sentry AWACS | 1 destroyed | Not specified |
E-7A Wedgetail radar aircraft | 1 destroyed (Prince Sultan Air Base, Mar 27) | $700M |
KC-135 Stratotanker | 1 destroyed (mid-air collision, non-hostile, Mar 12) | Not specified |
AN/MPQ-65 Patriot radar | 1 damaged | Not specified |
AN/TPS-59 tracking radar | 1 destroyed | Not specified |
US bases / facilities | 17 damaged |
US Munition Inventory Impact
Munition | Pre War Inventory (Est.) | Expended / Impact |
Tomahawk cruise missile | 3, 100 | 400 in first 6 days. Inventory reduced to 2, 700. |
SM-3 interceptors | FY2026 delivery: 76 (45 IB 31 IIA) | Significant depletion. Final figure not published. |
SM-6 interceptors | FY2026 delivery: 125 | Significant depletion. Final figure not published. |
Total US Equipment Loss Estimates
Estimate | Value | Scope / Source |
CSIS aerial equipment loss estimate | $2.3B–$2.8B | Aerial equipment only. Excludes base damage and specialized systems. |
CBS News / internal US officials | $11.9B | Includes bases and specialized systems. Not independently verified. |
CSIS combat losses base damage (12-day) | $1.7B | Included within $16.5B total 12-day cost. |
Iranian Equipment and Infrastructure Losses
Target | Reported Outcome |
Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant | US (Gen. Caine): 'extremely severe damage and destruction.' IAEA: centrifuges 'no longer operational.' Israel Atomic Energy Commission: facility 'inoperable.' DIA (leaked report): program set back 3–6 months. Iran (initial): 'quite superficial' damage, no irreversible harm. Iran (later): acknowledged 'significant and serious damages.' |
Natanz Nuclear Facility | US: 'significant fresh damage' in March 2026. Entrance buildings to underground enrichment plant targeted. IAEA: Fuel Enrichment Plant hit with ground penetrating munitions. DIA: facilities at Natanz were beyond full MOP reach, less than 6-month setback. |
Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center | IAEA: buildings hit including uranium conversion process buildings; tunnel entrances to enriched material storage struck. US: surface production buildings and centrifuge manufacturing workshops destroyed. |
Iranian Navy vessels | US (CENTCOM): 50 vessels damaged or destroyed in first 10 days. US intelligence (Apr 2026): IRGC retained 50% of pre war naval assets. |
IRGC missile launch sites | US intelligence (Apr 2026): 50% of Iran's missile launchers remained intact. |
Iranian air defense network | Systematically targeted in opening strikes per CENTCOM. Iran continued launching missiles throughout the conflict. |
Mobarakeh Steel (Isfahan) and Khuzestan Steel | Both struck. Production halted. Steelmaking units, furnaces and power units damaged. |
Iranian warship (single incident) | Iranian Army: 104 personnel killed in US attack on one Iranian warship. |
Disputed Facts
Topic | US / Israeli Official Statement | Iranian / Counter Statement | Independent Assessment |
Nuclear program damage | Trump: Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan 'completely and totally obliterated.' Gen. Caine: all three sites sustained 'extremely severe damage and destruction.' | Iran (initial): 'quite superficial' damage, no irreversible harm. Iran (later): acknowledged 'significant and serious damages.' | IAEA: 'enormous damage.' DIA (leaked): set back 3–6 months, not destroyed. NBC News: US knew before strikes that Natanz and Isfahan were partially beyond MOP reach. |
Duration of nuclear setback | Trump: 'set back by decades.' Pentagon statement: 'years to recover.' | Iran: no irreversible harm. | DIA: 3–6 months. IAEA head: centrifuges 'no longer operational.' Expert David Albright (ISIS): 'serious but duration uncertain. |
US KIA count | Pentagon DCAS: 13 named. CENTCOM Apr 8: 13. | Wikipedia: 15 (includes 6 KC-135 crash). CRS R48887: 13 as of Mar 23. Discrepancy of 13 vs 15 remains unresolved in open sources. | |
Iran missile launchers surviving | US struck 5, 000 targets including ballistic missile sites (CENTCOM). | Iran claimed ongoing missile capability throughout and continued launching during the war. | US intelligence (Quwa, Apr 2026): 50% of Iran's missile launchers intact as of April 2026. |
Civilian casualties in Iran | US stated all targets were military installations. | Iran: civilian sites were struck. HRANA documented 1, 701 civilian deaths. | Independent verification impossible: Planet Labs suspended public satellite imagery at US government request (Al Jazeera). |
Legality of Hormuz closure | US did not acknowledge legality of closure. | Iran: sovereign right to control passage through its territorial waters. | British Royal Navy: closure 'not legally binding' though safety cannot be guaranteed. |
Sources US Government / Military (Official)
CENTCOM: Operation Epic Fury First 72 Hours Fact Sheet, media.defense.gov, Mar 3, 2026.
CENTCOM: Operation Epic Fury First 10 Days Fact Sheet, media.defense.gov, Mar 9, 2026.
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report R48887: 'U.S. Conflict with Iran', Mar 26, 2026.
Pentagon DCAS (Defense Casualty Analysis System), confirmed KIA names list.
Pentagon press briefing, Gen. Dan Caine on Operation Midnight Hammer, Jun 22, 2025.
International / Independent Bodies
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, statements on nuclear site damage, Jun 2025.
HRANA (Human Rights Activists in Iran), casualties’ documentation, Apr 7, 2026.
CSIS: Cancian & Park: 'Iran War Cost Estimate Update', May 2026.
AEI: McCusker & Sims: war cost estimate, Mar 11, 2026.
Brown University Costs of War Project, Operation Midnight Hammer estimate.
UK House of Commons Library: 'Israel/US-Iran Conflict 2026'; 'Reopening the Strait of Hormuz'.
Wikipedia: '2026 Iran War'; 'Casualties of the 2026 Iran War'; 'Timeline of the 2026 Iran war'; '2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis'.
Britannica: '2026 Iran War'; 'Operation Epic Fury'.
Statista: 'Casualties during US-Israel attacks on Iran by country, 2026'.
IranWarLive.com, casualty dashboard citing CENTCOM, IDF, Lebanese Health Ministry.
militaryspend.org, Iran War Casualties Tracker and Cost Tracker.
News and Defense Media
Al Jazeera: Live casualty tracker; equipment losses report (Apr 30, 2026); Strait coverage; satellite imagery reporting.
Breaking Defense: 'New Weapons in Iran Conflict' (Apr 14, 2026); 'Six Key Takeaways About Iran's Missiles' (May 2026).
Stars & Stripes: 'US uses over 20 weapons to hit more than 1, 000 targets', Mar 2, 2026.
CNN: 'Warships, explosive drones and stealth bombers: The high-tech weapons the US is using', Mar 2, 2026.
CBS News: satellite photos of nuclear strike damage; live war updates; US KIA reporting.
NBC News: 'New US assessment finds American strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites', Jul 17, 2025.
NPR: satellite imagery analysis; nuclear damage assessment, Jun 2025.
Military Times: CENTCOM KIA releases.
Gulf News: 'The true cost of the Iran war'; mine-laying coverage.
Times of Israel: Strait of Hormuz convoy reporting.
Tasnim News Agency (Iranian semi-official): Sejjil missile debut, Mar 15, 2026.
Quwa Defence News: Iran war analysis citing US intelligence on surviving capabilities, May 2026.
GlobalDefenseCorp: Iranian industrial infrastructure damage, Apr 9, 2026.
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