The cost of America’s military campaign against Iran has climbed past $47 billion, according to the latest Pentagon figures obtained by Reuters. This total is more than 25 percent higher than the Defence Department’s own estimate released in July.
Most of the money is tied to the day-to-day cost of running the war. Officials say more than $29 billion will be needed just to replace the munitions already used in the fighting. Another $6 billion is required to cover lost or damaged equipment, including aircraft and large numbers of drones.
The new figure is significantly higher than Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s July estimate of $37.5 billion. The Pentagon has not publicly released the updated numbers and did not immediately respond when asked for comment.
The rising bill arrives at a sensitive political moment. Republicans are facing voter concern over the conflict just days before the November 3 midterm elections that will decide control of Congress. Higher global energy prices linked to the war have weighed on public support and on President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. His party currently holds only a narrow majority in both the House and Senate.
Trump and Israel launched the operation in February, with the president predicting a short campaign. The early strategy relied on expensive precision missiles to knock out Iranian air defences so cheaper gravity bombs could be used later. An April ceasefire, however, allowed Iran to restore some underground facilities and bring defences, missiles and drones back online.
Since then the United States has enforced a naval blockade aimed at cutting Iran’s oil export revenue. Officials speaking privately say the Pentagon is preparing plans to resume heavy fighting if ordered to do so after the elections.
While the current estimate covers operational costs such as flight hours and cyber support, it does not fully include the large expense expected for repairing US bases damaged by Iranian missile and drone attacks.
