The U.S. military has spent more than $47 billion on the war with Iran, according to an internal Pentagon estimate reviewed by Reuters, putting the cost more than 25% above the Defense Department’s July figure.
The Pentagon has not released the new calculation publicly and did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment. The estimate covers the military’s operational costs and the expense of replacing weapons and equipment used or lost during the conflict.
Munitions Account for the Largest Share
More than $29 billion of the total is projected to replace expended munitions, according to the Pentagon data. A further $6 billion-plus would be needed to replace military equipment and what the department describes as platform losses, including aircraft and drones.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers in July that the war would cost about $37.5 billion. The latest estimate is therefore more than one-quarter higher.
The figures include expenses such as flight operations and cyber support. They do not clearly account for the potentially substantial cost of repairing U.S. bases damaged in Iranian missile and drone attacks, meaning the eventual total could be higher.
CBO Had Estimated $38 Billion Through Aug. 1
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated in September that Defense Department costs had reached approximately $38 billion as of Aug. 1. That calculation included replacement munitions and equipment, additional flying hours, fuel and other operational expenses.
The CBO said another month of conflict could cost about $2 billion if violence remained relatively limited, or about $3 billion if fighting returned to the intensity recorded in July. It cautioned that its figures were uncertain because the Defense Department had not provided the requested data.
The agency also said its estimate did not include costs borne by other federal departments, future veterans’ health and disability expenses, diplomatic operations or foreign aid.
Conflict Began in February
President Donald Trump launched the war jointly with Israel on Feb. 28. An April ceasefire reduced the level of fighting, but Washington later imposed a naval blockade intended to limit Iran’s oil revenue and has not ruled out renewed large-scale combat operations.
The war has disrupted energy markets and shipping routes, pushing up fuel and transportation costs. Those economic effects have also become a political issue ahead of the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress.
The latest Pentagon estimate was first reported by Reuters. The Congressional Budget Office’s September assessment is available in its report on the cost of combat operations against Iran.
Vesti Baku