WASHINGTON: The United States has already spent billions of dollars on military operations against Iran, with the cost of munitions alone estimated between $5.6 billion and $6 billion during the early stages of the conflict, according to several media reports.
The figures were reportedly shared with members of Congress on Monday, though the Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the details.
According to The New York Times, Pentagon officials told lawmakers that the first week of operations cost nearly $6 billion, including about $4 billion spent on munitions and missile defence interceptors.
Other outlets reported similar estimates. CBS News said roughly $5.6 billion was spent within the first 48 hours of the conflict, while The Washington Post and The Hill also confirmed that the Pentagon had provided comparable figures to Congress. Reuters, citing administration officials, reported similar costs for munitions in the opening days of the fighting.
Analysts warn that overall spending could surpass $10 billion within the first 10 days if the high pace of military operations continues. The heavy use of advanced precision weapons and sustained air strikes are major drivers of the rising costs.
Although Pentagon officials have not confirmed the projections for the coming days, lawmakers have reportedly raised concerns about the rapid use of expensive munitions and the potential strain on US military stockpiles and defence budgets.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has already placed significant financial pressure on US military resources and highlighted the enormous cost of modern warfare.
According to Pentagon sources quoted by CBS News, around 140 US service members have been wounded during the first 10 days of the operation.
Meanwhile, a Washington-based nonpartisan think tank estimates that the military campaign — referred to as Operation Epic Fury — is costing the US government close to $900 million per day.
Data released by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates that the first 100 hours of the operation cost approximately $3.7 billion.
The think tank’s breakdown of the spending includes:
- Operational costs: about $196 million
- Replacement of munitions: roughly $3.1 billion
- Repairing damage and replacing equipment losses: around $359 million
The rapidly rising expenses underline the financial burden of large-scale modern military operations, particularly those involving advanced weapons systems and sustained combat activity.