Pentagon officials told top lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Tuesday that the cost of the war against Iran has already surpassed $11.3 billion in its first six days, but the true cost of the early days of the conflict is likely much higher, according to two people familiar with the matter.
This figure, first reported by the New York Times and confirmed by the Associated Press as well as The Guardian, represents the most detailed cost assessment Congress has received yet as lawmakers seek clarity on the scope and duration of the conflict.
But the estimate, presented during a classified briefing on Capitol Hill, appeared largely limited to ammunition spending and does not capture the full cost of the early days of the conflict, a person familiar with the matter told The Guardian. Additional costs to consider include the deployment of forces to the region, medical expenses and the replacement of military aircraft lost in the war.
The Guardian reported last week that the United States spent about $2 billion each day on munitions at the start of the conflict before spending fell to $1 billion each day. The cost per day is expected to decline further as the war continues, unless the situation worsens.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operational details. The Pentagon previously declined to comment on inquiries about the cost of the campaign.
Still, the estimate provides the clearest picture yet of the scale of the campaign and the U.S. forces amassed in the Middle East as Donald Trump’s decision to abruptly launch a military conflict against Iran faces growing scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
Initial attacks relied on sophisticated and expensive precision-guided weapons, including the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, a glide bomb that can cost between $578,000 and $836,000 per unit. The US Navy purchased approximately 3,000 munitions almost two decades ago.
As the campaign progressed, the Pentagon turned to less expensive munitions, including the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The smaller JDAM warhead costs about $1,000, while the guidance kit that converts conventional bombs into precision weapons costs about $38,000.
The rapid pace of burning of America’s most sophisticated weapons is expected to require Congress to eventually approve a supplemental defense spending package to buy new ammunition to replenish the stockpile, a person familiar with the matter said.
But the Trump administration has so far been noncommittal on the duration of the Iran war and its ultimate goals, leaving lawmakers in both parties increasingly skeptical about approving additional funding for a package they fear could be open-ended.
