The major loss to the United States was the loss of the MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Iran war

The United States has destroyed at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones in the ongoing war with Iran, causing more than $1.3 billion in damage.

This information was reported in a report by the US newspaper Washington Post on Monday (September 7). 

The report, citing three US officials, said the loss was about a quarter of the US's pre-war drone fleet. The financial cost of these drones could be more than $1.3 billion.

Israeli media outlet Channel 12 reported that the loss has created a significant shortfall in the US drone fleet. Some reports put the number of operational MQ-9s at around 135.

US Air Force officials have also expressed concern about the loss, as the MQ-9 Reaper plays a key role in intelligence gathering, surveillance and precision strikes.

The long-term impact of the war, losing such a large number of drones, could put a strain on US military operations and surveillance capabilities in the Middle East.