- Pentagon's latest estimate puts the cost of the Iran war at $43.6 billion as of September 3, the highest official figure to date, according to a document reviewed by The Washington Post.
- The war began on February 28, and the Pentagon's new estimate includes $11.2 billion already obligated for operating expenses and $32.4 billion in unfunded replacement costs.
- CBO previously estimated the war cost at $38.1 billion through July, while the IG reported a figure of $33.4 billion through June.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified in July that the war would cost $37.5 billion through the end of September.
- The Pentagon has requested $67.1 billion in supplemental spending from Congress, partly to recoup war costs.
- A letter signed by Senate Democrats and independents called for a complete accounting of the war's costs.
- The cost estimate does not include potential damages to U.S. military facilities in eight Middle Eastern countries or future costs, which the CBO estimates may be $2 billion to $3 billion a month.
- The impact of inflation due to war-related restrictions in shipping routes is also not accounted for in the Pentagon's estimate.
- The total cost includes $28 billion needed to replace munitions and over $4.3 billion in equipment lost or damaged.
- The Air Force operating expenses topped $6.6 billion, with Navy costs around $2.2 billion and Army costs at $1.6 billion.
The Pentagon's latest estimate of the Iran war's cost has reached $43.6 billion, the highest official figure to date, as reported to Congress. This includes $11.2 billion in operating expenses and $32.4 billion for replacement costs, according to a document reviewed by U.S. Central Command.12
The estimate, current as of September 3, does not account for future costs, which the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects could be $2 billion to $3 billion monthly. Additionally, it excludes potential damages to U.S. military facilities across eight Middle Eastern countries, which could amount to billions more.89
The Pentagon's figure aligns closely with earlier reports from the CBO, which estimated the war's cost at $38.1 billion through July, and the Inspector General's report, which cited $33.4 billion through June. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously testified that the war would cost $37.5 billion through the end of September.345
As the war's financial burden grows, public opposition is rising, particularly regarding its economic impact, coinciding with the upcoming November midterm elections. Nearly all Senate Democrats, along with independent Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King, have called for a complete accounting of the war's costs, highlighting the increasing scrutiny on military spending.
The Pentagon has requested $67.1 billion in supplemental spending to cover these escalating costs, further emphasizing the financial strain on U.S. taxpayers.6
“The Pentagon's figure comprises $11.2 billion in operating expenses and $32.4 billion in unfunded replacement costs, but excludes billions in damage to U.S. facilities in eight Middle East countries. The Congressional Budget Office estimates future costs may run $2 billion to $3 billion per month.”
