The United States military has spent more than $47 billion so far to prosecute the war in Iran, more than 25% higher than the Defence Department’s estimate in July, according to Pentagon data obtained by Reuters. The Pentagon’s latest estimate, tied to operational costs, includes a projected cost of more than $29 billion to replace expended munitions, more than $6 billion to replace military equipment and so-called “platform losses,” including aircraft and many drones lost during the war, according to Reuters and CBS News. A further $11.9 billion covers additional operational expenses, including support for deployed personnel, according to figures provided to lawmakers.
A bill that keeps rising
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers in July that the conflict had cost approximately $37.5 billion. By early September, the estimate had risen to $43.6 billion, according to CBS News. The latest figure, $47.1 billion through mid-October, excludes damage to American military bases in the Middle East from Iranian missile and drone attacks, because the administration has not determined whether affected facilities will require reconstruction. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated in September that US operations had cost about $38 billion through August 1, and projected additional expenses of $2 billion to $3 billion monthly, depending on fighting intensity, according to The Media Line.
Politics of an unpopular war
The disclosure comes as Republicans wrestle with the political fallout of the unpopular conflict ahead of the November 3 election, according to Reuters. The war’s impact on global energy costs has weighed on support for Republican candidates and hurt President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. Trump launched the Iran war jointly with Israel in February, predicting it would last a short time. Trump’s initial strategy focused on expensive, high-end precision missiles to bomb Iran’s defences so less expensive munitions could be used later, according to Reuters. But an April ceasefire gave Iran time to dig out underground storage facilities, bringing back online some defences, missiles and drones that had been inaccessible.
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