{
  "id": 7625361,
  "title": "Iran war has cost the US at least $38 billion, government report says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-has-cost-the-us-at-least-38-billion-government-report-says-7625361",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T20:08:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/09/15/iran-war-costs-us/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reveals that the United States has incurred at least $38 billion in costs related to the war in Iran by August 1. The CBO estimates that if the conflict continues, monthly expenses could reach $3 billion. The total includes the replacement of munitions and equipment lost, increased flying hours, other operations, and higher fuel costs. This figure aligns with the costs outlined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Congress in July.\n\nThe CBO report adds that the Pentagon's costs could rise to $3 billion per month depending on the level of violence. However, it does not account for expenses borne by other federal government parts, such as the impact of rising fuel costs on various agencies. Moreover, the report does not include costs already incorporated in the federal budget.\n\nThe primary expense of the war has been the substantial expenditure on missile defense interceptors, leaving the US with a diminished inventory for several years. This shortfall could become particularly problematic if the US confronts an adversary with a substantial arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, such as China. The Pentagon inspector general's report, released last week, acknowledged strategic inventory shortfalls and industrial bottlenecks for resupply. These issues have been widely reported over the past few months, despite President Donald Trump's administration consistently denying them.\n\nTrump had claimed on social media that the US is \"producing more exquisite and elite weapons than at any time in our history,\" despite the Pentagon announcing tens of billions of dollars in production deals with defense contractors in recent weeks. Last month, the Pentagon announced deals with Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin to increase missile and missile parts production. Democratic Congressman Adam Smith, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, described the war as \"disastrous\" and emphasized that the American people and a majority in Congress have made it clear that Trump's war must end now. Smith emphasized that the longer the conflict persists, the higher the likelihood of entrenching the US in another prolonged war, which aligns with Trump's election promises.",
  "summary": "The Iran war had cost the US taxpayer at least $38 billion by August 1 and expenses are projected to run at about $3 billion a month if the conflict continues, a new report has found. The $38 billion tally reflects the costs of replacing expended munitions and equipment lost in battle, increased flying hours, other operations, and increased fuel costs, the Congressional Budget Office report on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The New York Times",
        "title": "Independent Budget Office Estimates Iran War Has Cost $38 Billion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/independent-budget-office-estimates-iran-war-has-cost-38-billion",
        "published": "2026-09-15T18:07:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Iran war cost hits estimated $38 billion, Congressional Budget Office says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-cost-hits-estimated-38-billion-congressional-budget-office",
        "published": "2026-09-15T18:59:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Iran war has cost the US at least $38 billion, government report says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-has-cost-the-us-at-least-38-billion-government-report-says",
        "published": "2026-09-15T20:08:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Iran war cost hits US$38bil, forecast to rise US$3 billion a month",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/iran-war-cost-hits-us-38bil-forecast-to-rise-us-3-billion-a-month",
        "published": "2026-09-15T21:20:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}