Pentagon estimates the Iran war has cost the US more than $47 billion; base repair costs not clearly counted

The US military has spent more than $47 billion so far on the war in Iran, over 25% higher than the Defense Department’s estimate in July, according to Pentagon data obtained by Reuters. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the estimate, which has not been shared publicly. The latest figure compares with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s July estimate of $37.5 billion. The estimate was tied to the operational costs of carrying out the war.

More than $29 billion is projected to go to replacing expended munitions, and more than $6 billion would be needed from Congress to replace military equipment and so-called platform losses, which include aircraft and many drones lost during the war. The figures include a host of operational costs but did not clearly account for the large expense expected to repair damage to US bases from Iranian missile and drone attacks. The disclosure comes as Republicans wrestle with the political fallout of the unpopular conflict ahead of the November 3 election that will determine control of Congress.

The war’s impact on global energy costs has weighed on support for Republican candidates and hurt President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. Suggested articles Israel without Netanyahu: Still a nation at war | Bianca Zanini Mecca pact powers meet Iran in push to avert wider war | i24NEWS Trump launched the war jointly with Israel in February, predicting it would last a short time. His initial strategy focused on first using expensive, high-end precision missiles to bomb Iran’s defenses, so it could later use cheaper munitions, including plentiful gravity bombs such as the air-launched JDAMs.

An April ceasefire, however, gave Iran time to dig out underground storage facilities, bringing back online some of its defenses. Trump has since imposed a naval blockade to starve Iran of oil export revenue and held out the possibility of restarting combat operations after the midterms. US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Pentagon has been planning to restart heavy fighting if ordered. What does it take to strike Iran?

An Israeli F-16 squadron commander speaks to i24NEWS