US Iran war costs rise 25% to top $47b: Pentagon data

The United States military has spent over $47 billion on the war in Iran, topping Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's $37.5 billion July estimate by more than 25 per cent, unpublished Pentagon data obtained by Reuters showed.

Covering flight operations to cyber support, the operational estimate projects over $29 billion to replace expended munitions and requires over $6 billion from Congress for equipment and platform losses, including aircraft and drones. However, it excludes massive repair costs for US bases hit by Iranian missile and drone attacks.

The Pentagon did not immediately comment as war-driven global energy costs hurt President Donald Trump's approval ratings and Republican candidates defending narrow majorities in both congressional chambers in the 3 November elections.

Launching the war with Israel in February predicting a short conflict, Trump initially bombed Iranian defences with expensive precision missiles before switching to cheaper, plentiful JDAM gravity bombs.

After an April ceasefire let Iran excavate underground storage and restore inaccessible defences, missiles and drones, Trump imposed a naval oil blockade and floated post-midterm combat, while anonymous US officials said the Pentagon plans to restart heavy fighting if ordered.

Source: Reuters