The situation in the Persian Gulf centered around Iran remains volatile; the impasse is clear as neither side, neither the US nor Iran, is backing down. Trump continues the naval blockade, asserting that "We will finish the job in Iran". The US President commented on the resignation of Iran's Oil Minister, stating that Iran has no economy and no oil. Meanwhile, only one aircraft carrier remains in the Arabian Sea: the USS George Washington is currently the sole remaining American carrier in the Middle East, with all others having departed. Furthermore, the US Congress revealed that the war between the US and Iran resulted in 81 aircraft and drones destroyed, marking the largest wartime loss suffered by the Americans since World War II. Foreign Affairs argues that a US victory over Iran is a "myth".
Trump: We will finish the job in Iran – The Oil Minister resigned… Hormuz belongs to us
"Iran's oil minister resigned," emphasized US President Trump, stating that "this country has no economy, no oil, no nothing." The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the United States. The US President stated regarding Iran: "The US Navy is enforcing one of the most effective and impenetrable blockades in history. No one has ever seen a blockade like this. No ship can enter." "If the ship carries oil, we will strike its cabin or its rudder. If it has no oil, we will sink the ship. Right now, oil shipments from non-Iranian sources have nearly returned to a level even higher than the previous high." "In other words, the Strait of Hormuz belongs to the United States Navy and to the United States. This strait ought to be ours." We must complete the work. The only question is how we want to do it. The easy way or the not-so-easy way.
Fox News: The George W. Bush left the Middle East; only USS George Washington and 17 other vessels remain
The George Washington is the only remaining American aircraft carrier in the Middle East, reports Fox News. There are now approximately 17 US military vessels total remaining in the Middle East. The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush and the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black have departed the Middle East. The USS George Washington remains the sole American carrier deployed in the region. In total, there are currently around 17 US warships stationed across the Middle East. The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, present in the Middle East since April, and the destroyer Delbert D. Black, deployed since early this year, are both now in Thailand. The USS George Washington is currently the only remaining American carrier in the Middle East. It is stationed in the Arabian Sea, having arrived in August to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is set to return to its homeport in San Diego this week.
Former diplomat: Military action more likely than continuation of US-Iran ceasefire
A former Iranian diplomat argues that military operations are more probable than a sustained ceasefire agreement. Speaking on the deadlock in US-Iran negotiations and recent regional movements, the former diplomat stated: "The current scenario lacks a clear horizon, and the likelihood of a military operation is higher than the continuation of the ceasefire." He also emphasized that the effectiveness of the "Strait of Hormuz card" is diminishing, adding: "It appears the Americans prefer to provoke Iran into taking preemptive action." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Qatar Foreign Ministry announced that communication and diplomatic visits continue with the aim of achieving progress in dialogue between Washington and Tehran. Middle East News reported: A spokesperson for the Qatar Foreign Ministry announced that phone consultations and bilateral visits are ongoing to advance the diplomatic dialog between the US and Iran.
US Congress admission: 81 US aircraft and drones destroyed in Iran war – Heavy losses
In its latest report, Congress announced that US losses in the war with Iran totaled 81 military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Congressional Research Service stated in a new report that since the start of the US military invasion of Iran on February 28, 2026, a total of 81 American fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones have been lost or damaged.
In a report titled "U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury… Considerations for Congress," the Congressional Research Service noted that the inventory of 81 lost or damaged aircraft was compiled using media reports, Defense Department statements, US Central Command updates, and findings from the Department of Defense Inspector General. These figures remain subject to change due to intelligence classification, ongoing military operations, and the difficulty of attributing precise cause in certain incidents. Some damaged aircraft may have returned to service following repairs.
According to the report, 12 F-15E strike fighters are listed among US damages. On March 2, US Central Command announced that three F-15Es were shot down by friendly fire over Kuwait. On April 5, it was announced that an F-15E was brought down over Iran. Additionally, on September 9 and 10, multiple news outlets reported that eight F-15s sustained damage in an Iranian strike on the Mawfaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan before returning to service. In the fighter sector, one F-35A jet is also included in the damage ledger. According to a March 19 report, the aircraft suffered damage from ground fire inside Iran. Two A-10 attack aircraft are listed as well. According to the report, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on April 6 that an A-10 was shot down and crashed. Furthermore, on September 9 and 10, media outlets citing US officials reported that an A-10 suffered severe damage during an Iranian attack on Mawfaq al-Salti Air Base in Jordan.
7 tanker aircraft
The Congressional Research Service report also noted that seven KC-135 refueling aircraft were destroyed or damaged. On March 12, US Central Command announced that two KC-135s crashed in Iraq, killing all six crew members. The second aircraft was forced into an emergency landing. Two days later, a report stated that five KC-135 tankers suffered damage during an Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. An E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft is also listed as damaged. According to a March 28 report, the plane was damaged at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. A subsequent report on September 15 stated that the aircraft was directly targeted. Two MC-130J aircraft were also reported damaged. According to an April 5 report, both special operations aircraft, participating in a search-and-rescue mission for a downed F-15E, were destroyed by Iranian artillery fire.
49 drones
In the unmanned aircraft sector, an MQ-4C Triton was listed as a loss. According to an April 14 report citing a US Navy document, the drone crashed due to an accident. Three MQ-1 Predators were also lost. US Central Command stated on May 31 that Iran shot down an American MQ-1 drone. A September 17 report, citing US officials, indicated that Iran had downed at least two additional drones in preceding days. A significant portion of total US losses involved 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones. An August 13 report, citing three American officials, stated that the US military had lost at least 45 of these drones during operations against Iran.
7 helicopters
Regarding helicopters, the Congressional Research Service report details the loss of an AH-64 Apache. According to a September 14 report by the US Department of Defense Inspector General, the helicopter was downed over the Strait of Hormuz. Four AH-6 Little Bird helicopters were also destroyed during a rescue mission. The September 14 Department of Defense Inspector General report stated that US forces destroyed these four helicopters during the rescue operation. Additionally, the loss list includes an MH-60 Sea Hawk that crashed in the Arabian Sea on September 14, according to the Inspector General. An HH-60W rescue helicopter was also damaged. The helicopter sustained damage during a search-and-rescue operation for the crew of an F-15E shot down over Iran.
The list of American losses
12 F-15 jets
1 F-35 fighter
2 A-10 attack aircraft
7 KC-135 refuelers
1 E-3 Sentry
2 MC-130J special operations aircraft
45 MQ-9 Reaper drones
1 Apache helicopter
1 MQ-4 drone
3 MQ-1 drones
1 Search-and-rescue helicopter
4 AH-6 helicopters
1 Sea Hawk helicopter
Foreign Affairs warns America: Victory through military means against Iran is a myth
The American magazine Foreign Affairs wrote in an article titled "The Myth of Military Victory" that the notion that one can completely defeat an enemy and end a war by inflicting heavy military strikes is one of the most common and costly assumptions in wartime decision-making. Modern wars do not end with the total destruction of the opposing side, but through diplomatic negotiations and agreement. According to Foreign Affairs, to terminate a war, both sides must conclude that continuing hostilities no longer serves their interests, a point that typically requires some form of negotiated settlement. Reflecting on recent conflicts, including the US war in Iran, the war in Gaza, and the war in Ukraine, the article warned that relying on the idea that a brief, overwhelming military campaign can force an enemy's unconditional surrender has repeatedly triggered or prolonged regional conflicts. Foreign Affairs continued: In February 2026, the Trump administration anticipated that military force would compel Iran to surrender unconditionally, yet the outcome was an operational stalemate. Similarly, the Netanyahu administration, believing Hamas could be defeated militarily, prolonged the war in Gaza and subsequently applied the same approach in Lebanon and Iran. Putin's notion of a battlefield victory in Ukraine has dragged Russia and Ukraine into a protracted war with no clear end, even as the Russian army registers localized front-line gains. Ignoring the opposing side's resolve and capacity to sustain combat can draw nations into military conflicts that are far easier to start than to end.
Aramco: If the Iranian conflict ends, the world will need an extra 2 million barrels of oil per day for 2 years
Executives from two of the largest oil producers in the Middle East warned that other nations globally must share the burden of funding the war in Iran and the accompanying infrastructure investments. The conflict has caused extensive damage to oil pipelines, refineries, natural gas facilities, and dozens of tankers, raising the cost of new energy investments into the tens of billions of dollars. The CEO of Saudi Aramco and the head of Kuwait Petroleum Company (KPC) told the Energy Intelligence Forum that they are working to develop export routes and overseas storage capacity. The CEO of Kuwait Oil Company stated that if European nations wish to receive Kuwaiti-produced fuels, including diesel and jet fuel, they must invest directly in fuel storage infrastructure.
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