The Iran War’s Other Bill—And You’re Paying It
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told Congress that the US government has spent an estimated $37.5 billion to date on the Iran war and requested an additional $67 billion in emergency funding. But there are several hidden costs that don’t factor into Hegseth’s accounting—ones that the rest of us are actually paying. The most obvious […]
The Iran War, often referred to in the media, has resulted in an estimated $37.5 billion in expenses for the United States thus far, with an additional $67 billion in emergency funding requested. However, there are additional costs that are not included in this figure, and these costs ultimately impact the American public. David Ritsher, a reporter for Brown University’s Climate Solutions Lab, has identified a major expense: fuel prices.
Since the war's inception, Americans have paid over $75 billion more for gasoline and diesel, with the average household spending over $570. This increase in fuel costs has led to higher prices for airline tickets, as well as delivery fees for major shipping companies, such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and the US Postal Service, some of which have risen by up to 8 percent.
Since trucks transport over 70 percent of goods in the United States, higher diesel prices affect nearly every product found on store shelves, including groceries, toys, and everyday items. The production of plastics and petrochemicals also rises with fuel prices, leading to increased costs for products such as diapers, baby wipes, clothing, and even crayons.
Public schools in the United States spend more than $8 billion annually on energy, their second-largest expense after teacher salaries. As a result, rising utility costs may place a heavy burden on already underfunded public schools. Additionally, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused fertilizer prices to soar. Approximately 70 percent of US farmers reported they were unable to afford the fertilizer necessary for their crops, according to a survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
This shortage of fertilizer could ultimately lead to higher food prices both in the US and globally. The United Nations warns that the war in Iran is contributing to unprecedented levels of global hunger, with the World Food Programme being forced to "take from the hungry to give to the starving." Beyond the financial burden, the Iran War has claimed at least 18 US service members' lives and over 100 wounded.
In Iran, human rights groups have documented over 1,700 civilian deaths, with the regional toll likely numbering in the thousands. The costs of the war do not stop when the last bullet is fired, as veterans will require care and disability payments for decades to come. Historically, these costs do not peak until 30 to 40 years after a war ends.
Furthermore, the US will need to replenish its weapons stockpiles and rebuild damaged facilities in the Middle East, which may involve even more significant expenditures. In total, the $37.5 billion spent so far is merely the initial payment. It is more accurate to consider it a down payment on a much larger bill that all Americans are paying.
Written by urgent.news from Mother Jones's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
