U.S.Intelligence Stops At The Resolute Desk

According to the Ministry of Defense for the United Arab Emirates, Iran has fired 2 cruise missiles, 12 ballistic missiles, and 19 one-way attack drones at the country in the last 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/iMRilhKX3A

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 6, 2026

Reporter: You said Iran has been obliterated, why are we still at war then?

Trump: They can't fight back. They have no capability. They have some missiles left. They have some drones left but essentially, they have no capability. They had a lucky shot with an airplane pic.twitter.com/P5h8FhzJs3

— Acyn (@Acyn) April 6, 2026

And it’s a bit more than one airplane:

UPDATE: US Aircraft Casualties as of 05/04/2026
--- #OperationEpicFury ---

Following further review of the imagery from Kuwait, I have downgraded the assessment to a single CH-47F damaged (although it is likely to be a write-off), and have added the 2x MC-130J lost due to… https://t.co/JeEsCQx3Dy pic.twitter.com/msZRtqXX0z

— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) April 5, 2026

US Aircraft Casualties as of 04/04/2026
--- #OperationEpicFury ---

Based on currently available information, since the start of Operation EPIC FURY in February 2026, the US military has lost or suffered damage to the following manned aircraft:
- 4x F-15E "Strike Eagle" (3 to… pic.twitter.com/gYV590qfFA

— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) April 4, 2026

Based on currently available information, since the start of Operation EPIC FURY in February 2026, the US military has lost or suffered damage to the following manned aircraft:

- 4x F-15E "Strike Eagle" (3 to friendly-fire over Kuwait, 1 to Iranian fire)
- 1x E-3G "Sentry" (on the ground at Prince Sultan Airbase in Saudi Arabia)
- 1x A-10C "Thunderbolt II" (crashed, circs TBC)
- 2x CH-47F "Chinook" (heavily damaged on ground at Camp Buehring in Kuwait - TBC if write-offs)
- 2x HH-60W "Jolly Green II" (reported to have taken fire during CSAR over Iran, cited making it into Iraq with significant smoke trail - no casualties reported, extent of damage/repair options TBC)
- 1x F-35A "Lightning II" (emergency landing after taking fire, pilot received medical care, extent of damage/repair options TBC)
- ?x KC-135R/T "Stratotanker" (1 lost with 6 crew KIA over Iraq, 1 damaged in same incident and hasn't flown since, 1+ destroyed on ground at Prince Sultan Airbase in same incident as E-3G, as yet unconfirmed reports of up to 5 additional damaged or destroyed at same or another base prior)

I have no doubt there are probably other incidents that are not publicly known yet, and obviously I've only included manned platforms here - I'm aware the MQ-9A "Reaper" UAV fleet has suffered several losses too.

Also, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

A Bahamian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Al Daayen, appears to have attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz eastbound before aborting and returning to the Persian Gulf earlier today. pic.twitter.com/XhQ7FU8diP

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 6, 2026

Besides:

Iranian operatives have been digging out underground missile bunkers and silos struck by American and Israeli bombs, returning them to operation hours after an attack, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) still retaining a significant amount of its cruise and… pic.twitter.com/nCdHww8Xkl

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2026

Iranian operatives have been digging out underground missile bunkers and silos struck by American and Israeli bombs, returning them to operation hours after an attack, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) still retaining a significant amount of its cruise and ballistic missiles as well as mobile launchers, according to recent U.S. intelligence reports shared with The New York Times.

Often, the proclamation of truth is obscured by what we today call “fake news” — lies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations. Yet, in the face of such obstacles, the truth does not remain hidden; rather, it comes forth to meet us, living and radiant, illuminating even the…

— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) April 6, 2026

Often, the proclamation of truth is obscured by what we today call “fake news” — lies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations. Yet, in the face of such obstacles, the truth does not remain hidden; rather, it comes forth to meet us, living and radiant, illuminating even the deepest darkness.

Not exactly what the Pope was getting at, but close enough for government work.