Iran war’s cost to American taxpayers grows to an estimated $47.1 billion
WASHINGTON (AP) — The cost of the Iran war to American taxpayers has grown to $47.1 billion, according to a new estimate the Pentagon has provided to Congress. The fallout from the conflict has become a key issue in the midterm elections and could increase as President Donald Trump leaves open the possibility of renewed hostilities.
The cost of the Iran war to American taxpayers has reached an estimated $47.1 billion, according to a new Pentagon estimate provided to Congress. This figure, as of October 16, represents the most recent cost for the conflict since it began in late February by the United States and Israel. The cost has increased by $3.5 billion since early September, when it was at approximately $43.6 billion.
The rising expenses and economic consequences of the unpopular war could negatively impact Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. Voters will decide on Tuesday which political party will control Congress during President Trump's final two years in office. President Trump has indicated that renewed strikes on Iran are a possibility after the midterms and is deploying more military resources to the Middle East, despite initially promising a brief military campaign.
As the war's costs in lives, tax dollars, and economic impact grow, most voters express a desire for Congress to prioritize ending the conflict, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The war's expenses are a contentious issue on Capitol Hill, with the Trump administration seeking approval for a $1.5 trillion military budget proposal and a $95 billion package to fund the Iran war and other priorities.
The bulk of the war's costs are for replacing munitions, totaling about $29 billion, primarily for defensive missile interceptors like the Patriot and THAAD systems. About $11.9 billion is linked to operational costs, while $6 billion is attributed to equipment losses. The Air Force's expenses amount to $7.6 billion, while the Army's costs exceed $2 billion.
The Navy's costs have dropped to $1.45 billion, a significant decrease from the $2.2 billion reported in early September. The latest estimate does not account for damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East, which Iran has attacked with ballistic missiles and drones. In the past eight months, the conflict has resulted in the death of 21 U.S. service members and 865 wounded.
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