US denies Iran’s claim it destroyed American aircraft in Bushehr

Iran’s state TV claimed a U.S. aircraft was destroyed in Bushehr province, citing a local governor, but a U.S. official denied the report to Reuters.ndtv
The two sides reportedly reached a preliminary agreement Thursday to extend their ceasefire for 60 days, pending President Trump’s approval, according to Reuters.reuters
The three-month conflict has cost an estimated $29 billion, with at least 42 U.S. aircraft lost or damaged, a Congressional Research Service report found.militarytimes

US Denies Iran’s Claim That American Aircraft Was Destroyed in Bushehr Province

Iran’s state television reported early Friday that a US aircraft was destroyed in the Jam governorate of Bushehr province in southern Iran, citing local governor Masoud Tangestani. A US official denied the claim to Reuters, stating no American aircraft had been shot down near Bushehr, and no independent confirmation of the Iranian report has emerged.facebook

Competing Claims Amid Fragile Ceasefire

The incident comes as the United States and Iran navigate a precarious ceasefire that has been tested repeatedly since it was established in early April. On Thursday, Reuters reported that the two sides had reached a preliminary agreement to extend their ceasefire for an additional 60 days, pending President Donald Trump’s approval, with discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program set to take place during that period.reuters

The latest exchange follows a pattern in which Iranian state media has made claims of downing or destroying US aircraft that Washington has either denied or not confirmed. In early April, US Central Command rejected Iran’s assertion that it had shot down a fighter jet near the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier in the conflict, however, confirmed shootdowns did occur — including an F-15E Strike Eagle in April that prompted a rescue operation for its two-member crew.aa

Broader Context of Conflict

The US and Iran have been engaged in military conflict since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026. A Congressional Research Service report released in May tallied at least 42 US military aircraft lost or damaged during the 40-day campaign, including fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones. The war has cost an estimated $29 billion, according to Pentagon testimony to Congress.legion

Despite the ceasefire, sporadic clashes have continued. Earlier on Thursday, US Central Command said American forces had shot down five Iranian attack drones and struck a ground control station in a port city. Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire after Trump directed the Navy to secure commercial vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz.thehill

The Bushehr claim remains unverified, with no imagery or additional details beyond the Iranian governor’s statement broadcast on state television.