{
  "id": 7624036,
  "title": "Iran war costs US military $38 billion as CBO warns of billions more in monthly expenses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-costs-us-military-38-billion-as-cbo-warns-of-billions-more",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T20:15:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/iran-war-costs-us-military-38-billion-as-cbo-warns-of-billions-more-in-monthly-expenses-11789501056348.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US war against Iran has cost the Department of Defense over $38 billion through August, with monthly expenses potentially reaching an additional $2-$3 billion depending on the intensity of fighting, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on September 15. The conflict's broader economic impact is being felt through higher inflation, primarily due to disruptions to oil and natural gas shipments, with Iran's retaliation including the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. Inflation projections for the first quarter of 2027 are expected to be about 0.5 percentage points higher than previously forecast, potentially leading to increased interest rates on US Treasury securities. The CBO's estimate, which does not include costs related to military personnel killed or injured, or longer-term veterans' healthcare and disability compensation, was prepared following a request from Rep. Brendan Boyle and other Democratic lawmakers. The analysis, which aligns with a previous assessment by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, highlights concerns about US military stockpiles, with a Pentagon inspector general report noting \"strategic inventory shortfalls\" due to the war.",
  "summary": "The US war against Iran has cost $38 billion so far, according to the Congressional Budget Office. This estimate largely reflects the cost of replacing munitions expended during the conflict and equipment lost in battle, along with higher fuel costs for the US military and other expenses. The CBO projects that the monthly expenses will rise by $3 billion.\n\nThe war, which has been ongoing for six months, is expected to increase inflation by 0.5 percent in the first three months of 2027. The mounting costs have strained US munitions stockpiles and driven up energy prices, raising concerns about the country's ability to respond to other potential conflicts and adding pressure on an already stretched federal budget.\n\nThe majority of the costs stem from the rapid drawdown of munitions, with the CBO estimating that it could take five years to replenish US stockpiles, according to The Korea Times and Daily Maverick. The Department of Defense reported a similar cost of $37.5 billion at a Senate hearing on July 21, as per Daily Maverick.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "The US fired over $22 billion in munitions fighting Iran and created stockpile shortages in the process, watchdog finds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/the-us-fired-over-22-billion-in-munitions-fighting-iran-and-created",
        "published": "2026-09-15T15:17:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Iran war munitions spending led to inventory problems, Pentagon inspector says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-munitions-spending-led-to-inventory-problems-pentagon",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:24:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "$33.4bn war cost, $22.3bn on munitions: What US lost in 6 months of Iran war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/33-4bn-war-cost-22-3bn-on-munitions-what-us-lost-in-6-months-of-iran",
        "published": "2026-09-15T17:02:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Iran war cost hits $38 billion, forecast to rise $3 billion a month, CBO says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-cost-hits-38-billion-forecast-to-rise-3-billion-a-month-cbo",
        "published": "2026-09-15T18:52:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC World",
        "title": "Iran war has cost on average $246 million per day in its first five months, CBO finds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-has-cost-on-average-246-million-per-day-in-its-first-five",
        "published": "2026-09-15T19:19:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Iran war cost hits $38 billion, forecast to rise $3 billion a month, CBO says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-cost-hits-38-billion-forecast-to-rise-3-billion-a-month-cbo-7615906",
        "published": "2026-09-15T19:42:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian US",
        "title": "Iran war cost US $38bn and significantly depleted missile stockpile, report finds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-cost-us-38bn-and-significantly-depleted-missile-stockpile",
        "published": "2026-09-15T21:47:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}