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US War on Iran Costs Estimated at $43.6 Billion
Confirmed
In Short: The Pentagon estimates the cost of the US war on Iran at $43.6 billion, with potential monthly costs of up to $3 billion.
The Pentagon has estimated the cost of the ongoing US war on Iran at $43.6 billion, with potential monthly costs of up to $3 billion, according to a Pentagon document submitted to Congress and viewed by CQ Roll Call.
The estimate includes $11.2 billion already obligated for operating expenses such as fuel, combat pay, aircraft, medical care, and parts, plus $32.4 billion in unfunded replacement costs for munitions, damaged aircraft, and other assets.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Pentagon's inspector general have released similar estimates, with the CBO citing a cost of $38.1 billion through July and the inspector general putting the figure at $33.4 billion.
The CBO noted that its estimate does not cover costs associated with diplomatic operations, foreign aid, or expenses related to military personnel killed or injured, future veterans' health care, and disability compensation.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, the war has cost the country $38 billion so far, with an estimated $3 billion added every month if the conflict continues.
The war has also impacted Iran's crude exports, with Kharg Island, which handles approximately 90% of Iran's crude exports, targeted in recent strikes.
The CBO said the war is expected to contribute to inflation into the first quarter of 2027, making inflation roughly 0.5 percentage points higher than previously estimated.
The Pentagon's latest cost estimate arrived as nearly every Senate Democrat and independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine were signing on to a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling for a complete accounting of the war's costs.
What this adds
The estimate does not include the cost of addressing potentially billions of dollars in damages to U.S. assets or future potential costs.
The conflict has also led to rising fuel prices and economic concerns, which could impact the midterm elections.
Background
The Pentagon estimates the cost of the US war on Iran at $43.6 billion, with potential monthly costs of up to $3 billion.
What's confirmed
- The Pentagon has estimated the cost of the ongoing US war on Iran at $43.6 billion, with potential monthly costs of up to $3 billion, according to a Pentagon document submitted to Congress and viewed by CQ Roll Call.
- The estimate includes $11.2 billion already obligated for operating expenses such as fuel, combat pay, aircraft, medical care, and parts, plus $32.4 billion in unfunded replacement costs for munitions, damaged aircraft, and other assets.
- The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Pentagon's inspector general have released similar estimates, with the CBO citing a cost of $38.1 billion through July and the inspector general putting the figure at $33.4 billion.
- The CBO noted that its estimate does not cover costs associated with diplomatic operations, foreign aid, or expenses related to military personnel killed or injured, future veterans' health care, and disability compensation.
- According to a report by Al Jazeera, the war has cost the country $38 billion so far, with an estimated $3 billion added every month if the conflict continues.
- The war has also impacted Iran's crude exports, with Kharg Island, which handles approximately 90% of Iran's crude exports, targeted in recent strikes.
- The CBO said the war is expected to contribute to inflation into the first quarter of 2027, making inflation roughly 0.5 percentage points higher than previously estimated.
- The Pentagon's latest cost estimate arrived as nearly every Senate Democrat and independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine were signing on to a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calling for a complete accounting of the war's costs.
What's still developing
- The cost estimate comes as polls show Americans increasingly oppose the war, partly over its impact on the economy, and the issue is looming large as the November midterm elections approach.
- The estimate does not include the cost of addressing potentially billions of dollars in damages to U.S.
- “Donald Trump’s disastrous war in Iran has already taken the lives of brave American servicemembers and left others wounded,” Boyle said in a statement.
- That report found that the war had cost $33bn between February 28 and June 30 – with an estimated $22bn spent on expended munitions.
- Iranian attacks, the report said, destroyed or damaged dozens of aircraft, including at least 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
- Opposition to Trump’s war on Iran is mounting, with several Republicans joining the Democrats on Tuesday to vote for a third time to end the conflict.
- Just 31 percent of Americans support US military action against Iran.
- High energy costs at the pump and strategic setback for US in the Iran war will likely cost Trump in the midterm elections.
- The conflict has rattled the global energy market and contributed to rising prices as US voters express concern about the cost of living in the run-up to the November US midterm elections.
- It does not include the costs of recent US strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz or of Iranian attacks on US military installations in the region.
- Nor does it count borrowing expenses, which could add tens of billions of dollars to the total cost.
- Dwindling weapons stockpiles have made up the bulk of the costs – $25bn of weapons have been used up so far – with the budget office estimating it could take five years to restore expended US stockpiles.