A newly released internal Pentagon report indicates that the first phase of the conflict with Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, cost taxpayers $33.4 billion. The analysis from the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General (OIG) also warns of "strategic inventory shortfalls" and "industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply."
The report covers the period from February 28 to June 29, detailing significant expenditures despite public assurances from President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that U.S. military stockpiles were robust.
"The munitions expenditure on (Operation Epic Fury) has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply," the OIG report states. This contradicts President Trump's recent social media post claiming the U.S. is producing more weapons than ever, with "large numbers in stock" of critical systems like Patriots, THAAD, and Tomahawks.
The conflict has also resulted in damage to "hundreds" of military and intelligence structures across U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan. At least 25 U.S. aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling tankers, helicopters, and 30 drones, were reported as "destroyed or damaged during OEF."
The OIG report's cost estimate does not include damage to U.S. bases or aircraft, nor does it account for the costs incurred since June 29, which are presumed to be in the billions given ongoing operations.
Analysts have expressed concerns that the prolonged conflict has depleted U.S. reserves of crucial anti-air missile systems like Patriot and THAAD, which have been vital in intercepting Iranian fire. These systems are expensive and complex to manufacture, making shortages potentially critical.
The Iran war has been ongoing for six and a half months, totaling 199 days as of September 15. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment on the report.