US costs of Iran war rise to over US$47bil
WASHINGTON: The US military has spent more than US$47 billion so far to prosecute the war in Iran, more than 25 per cent higher than the Defence Department's estimate in July, according to Pentagon data obtained by Reuters.
The United States military has spent over $47 billion on the war in Iran, surpassing the Pentagon's initial estimate by more than 25%, according to data provided by Reuters. The Pentagon has not yet commented on the updated cost estimate, which has not been made public. This revelation of the escalating expenses comes as Republicans grapple with the political consequences of the unpopular conflict in the lead-up to the November 3 election, which will determine control of Congress for the next two years.
The war's impact on global energy costs has adversely affected support for Republican candidates and reduced President Donald Trump's approval ratings. Trump's Republican Party maintains a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress. The latest Pentagon estimate covers operational costs, with a projected $29 billion needed to replace expended munitions used in the conflict.
An additional $6 billion would be required to replace military equipment and platforms, including lost aircraft and drones. Initially, Trump launched the Iran war in collaboration with Israel in February, anticipating a short-lived conflict. His initial strategy involved using expensive, high-tech precision missiles to strike Iran's defenses, followed by the deployment of less expensive munitions such as gravity bombs.
However, an April ceasefire allowed Iran to restore some of its underground storage facilities, bringing back into action various defences, missiles, and drones. Since then, Trump has imposed a naval blockade on Iran to deprive it of oil export revenue and hinted at the possibility of resuming combat operations following the midterm elections.
US officials, speaking anonymously, confirm that the Pentagon has been preparing to resume heavy fighting if directed to do so. The latest estimate aligns with the earlier Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's projection of $37.5 billion for the war's cost in July. Although the figures encompass a wide range of operational expenses, including flight operations and cyber support, the US military's Iran war cost estimates do not explicitly account for the substantial expenses expected to repair damage to US bases inflicted by Iranian missile and drone attacks.
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