Additional Coverage:
The Price of War: Early Estimates Peg Iran Conflict’s First Week at Over $11 Billion
WASHINGTON D.C. – The initial week of the ongoing conflict with Iran has reportedly cost the United States an estimated $11.3 billion, according to military officials who briefed members of Congress this week. Sources familiar with the closed-door meeting indicate this figure represents a low-end estimate and does not include the significant expenditures incurred during the months-long military buildup preceding the operation.
The war, codenamed “Operation Epic Fury,” officially commenced on February 28th. Its prelude involved the strategic repositioning of substantial U.S. military assets, including two aircraft carriers and their accompanying escort ships, to the Middle East.
Senator Chris Coons, the ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee overseeing defense appropriations, acknowledged the $11.3 billion figure as “roughly accurate” in a statement to reporters on Wednesday. He further suggested that the “total operating number is significantly above that,” speculating that the daily cost of the war could easily exceed $1.5 billion, fluctuating based on ongoing military operations. Senator Coons also highlighted that the expense of replacing munitions already expended in the conflict is likely “well beyond $10 billion.”
The Pentagon, when contacted for comment by CBS News, stated on Thursday that it does not discuss “closed-door discussions or matters.” Regarding the cost of the operation, a spokesperson added, “we won’t know the cost until the mission is complete.”
Earlier this week, a U.S. official briefed on Pentagon estimates told CBS News that the cost of munitions alone used during the first two days of the war in Iran amounted to $5.6 billion.
A more conservative estimate from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank calculated the war’s initial 100 hours at $3.7 billion, or approximately $891.4 million per day. This analysis factored in the operational costs of fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and ground units in the region, alongside an estimated $3 billion to restock used munitions and hundreds of millions to replace three lost F-15 aircraft.
To date, the Pentagon has not publicly released any official figures regarding the war’s cost.
The conflict, now in its eleventh day, has seen the U.S. strike over 5,000 targets, including numerous Iranian ships, military bases, missile launch sites, and intelligence facilities, according to U.S. Central Command. Furthermore, the U.S., Israel, and several U.S.-allied Arab nations have successfully intercepted scores of Iranian missiles and drones.
The duration of the conflict remains uncertain. President Trump previously indicated a potential timeline of about a month, though he told CBS News on Monday that the operation is “very complete” and could conclude soon, citing significant damage to Iran’s military. Conversely, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked in a “60 Minutes” interview that “this is only just the beginning.”
Looking ahead, the Trump administration is anticipated to seek a supplemental funding package from lawmakers to cover the war’s expenses. The exact size of this request is currently unknown.
Republican Representative Tom Cole, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, last week predicted a “very robust request” from the military. House Speaker Mike Johnson, when asked about the supplemental’s size on Tuesday, responded, “We don’t know the scope of it yet.”
Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed the need for greater transparency from the administration regarding the campaign’s costs and objectives before considering approval for additional funding. Senator Coons emphasized, “Before I would even begin considering something like that, they owe us an accounting of how much has been expended.
We did have some lengthy exchanges about that yesterday. I am not satisfied with the information I’ve got so far.”