Pentagon Reports $47 Billion Spent on Iran War, Weeks Before Midterms
The updated figure, not publicly released by the Defense Department, exceeds previous estimates and comes as Republicans face challenging elections.
The Pentagon has spent more than $47 billion on the conflict in Iran, a figure that surpasses previous estimates and emerges just weeks before the midterm elections. This updated cost, derived from Pentagon data obtained by Reuters, represents a more than 25 percent increase from the $37.5 billion estimate previously presented to lawmakers over the summer.
The Defense Department has not publicly disclosed this latest estimate. The revelation comes as Republicans navigate a critical period, with the possibility of losing their majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the upcoming November 3 elections. The GOP currently holds narrow leads in both chambers, and forecasters indicate a likelihood of Democrats gaining control of the House.
Reports suggest that rising energy prices linked to the conflict have negatively impacted Republican candidates and contributed to a decline in President Trump's approval ratings. Some Republican candidates in swing states have reportedly begun to distance themselves from Trump's stance on the Iran war.
War Costs and Projections
The majority of the newly reported expenditure covers the operational costs of the war, including flight operations and cyber support. Replacing munitions expended during the conflict is projected to cost upwards of $29 billion. Furthermore, the replacement of lost equipment and what are termed 'platform losses,' such as aircraft and drones, is estimated to exceed $6 billion.
These figures do not appear to account for the significant costs anticipated for repairing U.S. bases that have been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones. President Trump initiated the war alongside Israel in February, with an initial expectation of a swift conclusion.
Initial plans involved using precision missiles to target Iran's defenses, followed by a transition to less expensive and more abundant weapons. However, this pause reportedly allowed Iran to reactivate some of its underground storage sites and defenses. Trump has since implemented a naval blockade aimed at restricting Iran's oil export revenue and has indicated a potential resumption of combat operations after the midterm elections.
US officials, speaking anonymously, have indicated that the Pentagon is developing plans for renewed heavy fighting if directed. The Trump administration has reportedly communicated to Gulf allies to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran following the midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal. American forces in the region are reportedly in the process of re-stocking munitions and readying aircraft for potential strikes.