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The US war with Iran has now cost at least $47.1 billion, according to a new Pentagon estimate sent to Congress, as President Trump weighs restarting major combat after next week’s midterms.
Getting into it: The figure from US Central Command runs through Oct. 16 and is about $3.5 billion higher than the roughly $43.6 billion the Pentagon reported in early September, even though major fighting has been on hold. The largest share, about $29 billion, is for replacing bombs, missiles and interceptors, especially for the Patriot and THAAD air defense systems, where a single Patriot round costs millions of dollars. Another $11.9 billion covers the day-to-day cost of operations, and $6.1 billion goes toward replacing aircraft and gear that were lost or damaged.
By branch, the Air Force has spent $7.6 billion, the Army about $2.1 billion and the Navy about $1.45 billion, a drop from $2.2 billion in September that the Pentagon has not explained. More than 50,000 troops are assigned to the mission, and the Pentagon’s tally lists 21 service members killed and 865 wounded, with 18 of those deaths tied directly to the fighting.
Congressional officials say the true cost is likely well above the Pentagon’s figure. The estimate leaves out the cost of fixing US bases across the Middle East that Iran hit with missiles and drones, which could run tens of billions of dollars if they’re rebuilt. It also excludes roughly $1.5 billion the administration has already requested for fuel and related expenses.
The Congressional Budget Office projects the war will add $2 billion to $3 billion to the bill every month it continues, and Moody’s Analytics puts the cost to the average American household at roughly $2,000 so far. The Pentagon’s watchdog has warned of “strategic inventory shortfalls” in munitions, though Trump has insisted the military has nearly unlimited supplies.
This all comes as the war reaches the eight-month mark. The White House is pushing Congress to approve a $95 billion funding request that would cover the war along with other spending, a third aircraft carrier is heading to the region and polling shows most voters want lawmakers to make ending the war their priority.






