JNN 20th August 2026 Tehran: Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Major General Mostafa Izadi of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) revealed that Iran’s air defense systems shot down more than 200 enemy aircraft, including drones and manned aircraft, during the recent US-Israeli aggression.
Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday, Major General Mostafa Izadi said that the downing of over 200 enemy aircraft had stirred serious public scrutiny in the United States and fueled internal instability within the Israeli regime
He added that the enemy had entered the war with a calculated scenario of “regime change” and disintegration, but suffered defeat on all fronts and failed to gain access to Iran’s Nuclear Assets.
Iran successfully defeated its adversaries while spending only a fraction of the resources allocated by its opponents on weapons and military operations
Turning to the role of the Iranian people in the enemy’s defeat, Gen. Izadi emphasized that the people’s conscious presence had neutralized all enemy ploys, to the extent that national cohesion and authority were strengthened more than ever before.
Furthermore, he praised the steadfastness of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah against six opposing Israeli army divisions, describing it as a critically important and valuable achievement.
He also noted that, according to available information, 80 percent of young Americans oppose war with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
General Izadi lauded reporters as the “commanders of the cognitive war” who hold a pivotal position on the battlefield. He emphasized that hostile forces suffered defeat in this domain because those active in soft warfare consistently neutralized adversary plans.
The Independent News Reports were already reporting during the conflict that the Iranian airspace has become highly unsafe for US aircraft and drones, which were routinely targeted and shot down during their Missions, while several were also targeted on the Air Bases, in their Hangers & Runways ready to fly, by the Irani Missiles fired with precise accuracy, with the help of their advanced digital & Satellite Coordinates.
Detailed Breakdown of Available and Claimed US Losses in Shape of Aircrafts is as follows :
- F-35A Lightning II Stealth Fighter: Claimed to have targeted and destroyed a modern $120 million F-35 fighter jet.
- F-15E Strike Eagles: At least four F-15E aircraft (worth ~$96M each) were reportedly hit.
- A-10C Thunderbolt: Known for low-altitude close air support, at least one was reportedly targeted and brought down.
- KC-135 Stratotankers: At least seven aerial refueling tankers (around $80 million each) were reportedly targeted—including five hit on the ground at once—severely impacting long-range aerial operations.
- MC-130J Commando II: Special operations transport planes were targeted, demonstrating modern air defense capabilities.
- MQ-9 Reaper Drones: Up to 46 MQ-9 Reaper drones (estimated value over $1.3 Billion) were reported shot down or jammed.
- MQ-4C Triton Drone: A high-altitude maritime surveillance drone valued at ~$250M was allegedly hacked while operating at 50,000+ feet, sending distress signals before losing control and redirecting toward Iran.
- E-3 Sentry AWACS: An airborne early warning and control aircraft (valued around $700M) was reportedly destroyed on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
- C-17 Globe master III: A heavy strategic transport plane (valued at $340M) was reportedly hit on an airbase ground before taking off.
- UH-60 Black Hawk (Helicopter) : Two were Destroyed on the ground in Jordan by Iranian missile barrage. Costing around ~$21 million .
- MH-60R / SH-60 Seahawk : One was lost in a crash over the Arabian Sea, estimataed of Cost of ~$48 million.
- MQ-1 Predator / Tiguar M : One was Shot down over international waters and an other one over the Iranian border territory.
- UH-60 Black Hawk: Tactical transport helicopters destroyed during regional Iranian ballistic missile strikes on coalition bases.
Iran highlighted that many assets were destroyed directly inside hangers and on runways using precise intelligence and satellite coordinates.
Iran estimates total US military operational/asset losses between July 8 and late July reached over $200 Billion, while media reports like The Wall Street Journal acknowledge billions in aerial asset damages.
The United States and Israel waged their second war of aggression against Iran on February 28, with the assassination of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders.
In response, the Iranian armed forces carried out 100 waves of counterattacks over 40 days, targeting US and Israeli military assets, which resulted in significant damage.
On June 17, Washington and Tehran announced a Pakistani-mediated memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at ceasing military operations across various fronts, including Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting the naval blockade on Iran.
However, Washington violated all provisions of the understanding, prompting Iran to deliver a firm response.
