The conflict, which began on February 28, has seen as much as $31 billion spent on five weeks of bombing, according to analysts. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimates the cost at approximately $500 million per day, a figure that underscores the escalating financial burden. Future costs will depend significantly on the intensity of operations and the effectiveness of Iranian retaliatory measures, according to an assessment by CSIS.
Initial costs were substantial, with the military operation, dubbed 'Gewaltiger Zorn' or Operation Epic Fury, costing several billion dollars in the first 100 hours, according to multiple reports. CSIS estimates costs of $3.7 billion in the first four days, while the United States lost $3.7 billion in the first 100 hours of military operations against Iran, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said. In the early days of the operations, the United States’ daily financial losses were estimated at $891.4 million, according to research from two sources. Analysts speaking to CNN reported that the war in Iran is costing the US over $890 million per day, and new research indicated the United States-Israeli war on Iran is estimated to have cost Washington $3.7bn so far in its first 100 hours alone, or nearly $900m a day, driven largely by the huge expenditure of munitions.
A breakdown of major expenses in the first phase reveals significant outlays. At least $1.4 billion in losses were chalked up in the first six days of fighting alone, according to Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis. The Wall Street Journal reported nearly $11 billion in costs in the first four days, citing Elaine McCusker. The Pentagon likely used intercept missiles worth about $5.7 billion to defend against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Another $3.4 billion was spent on other missile types and bombs, the Wall Street Journal reported. An analysis by CSIS said the US had expended more than 2,000 munitions of various types in the first 100 hours of the war, and estimated it would cost $3.1bn to replenish the munitions inventory on a like-for-like basis, with the costs increasing by $758.1m a day.
Specific high-cost assets have been damaged or require repair, adding to the financial strain. Between $2.1 billion to $3.6 billion of the total cost is likely accounted for by replacing equipment damaged or destroyed in Iran's retaliatory strikes, according to the American Enterprise Institute. The U.S.'s costliest expenses so far likely include repairs to the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and a ballistic missile early warning system in Qatar, multiple reports indicate. Other significant costs are likely from damage to a Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control system, worth $700 million, according to multiple reports. Two radar systems hit in Jordan and Qatar are among key U.S. assets damaged, hindering missile attack detection and response, multiple reports indicate.
The context of military deployment and operational scope further explains the high costs. These costs include the stationing of more than twelve ships and 100 aircraft in the Middle East since December, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Air, naval, and ground operations are expected to constitute the largest expenses, according to relevant analysis. Air operations are expected to cost $30 million per day, according to other sources. Daily naval operations cost approximately $15 million, and ground operations would cost $1.6 million per day, other sources report. An analysis by Washington-based think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) underlined the colossal cost of the war, which entered its seventh day on Friday, as the US attacks Iran with stealth bombers and advanced weapons systems, according to research from two sources.
Unbudgeted costs are a major concern, with the Pentagon likely needing additional funding. Researchers Mark Cancian and Chris Park said only a small amount of the estimated $3.7bn cost of the war in the first 100 hours – or $891.4m each day – was already budgeted for, while most of the costs – $3.5bn – were not. That meant the Pentagon would likely need to request more funding soon to cover the unbudgeted costs, they said, which was likely to prove a political challenge for the Trump administration and provide a focal point for opposition to the war. The report’s authors said that while air campaigns typically settled to a less frenetic pace after the intense early period of a conflict, nevertheless, the unbudgeted costs here will be substantial. They said this was unlike the recent US operations that led to the abduction of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, where most costs were already in the budget. The report also noted that the United States will need more funds to continue the operations.
Political and public support challenges are emerging due to the war's financial impact. Domestic cost-of-living concerns, inflation, and now a knock-on effect of rising gas prices due to the conflict are likely to further diminish support among US citizens for the war, according to research from two sources. It is also dividing Trump’s 'America First' base, which he had promised in his presidential campaigns to not enter foreign wars, research from two sources indicates.
The methodology behind cost estimates relies on limited official data. Noting that the US Department of Defense had released limited specifics on its operations, the researchers said their analysis drew on Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates of the operations and support costs for each unit, adjusting for inflation and unit size, and adding 10 percent for costs of a higher operational tempo. This approach highlights the uncertainties in calculating exact totals, as the cost estimate does not include salaries, training, or the deployment of national resources in the region, according to multiple reports.
Future cost projections suggest potential decreases but remain uncertain. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) predicts the cost will decrease as the US turns to less expensive munitions and as Iranian drones and missiles are reduced, according to other sources.
Contradictions and uncertainties in cost reporting create a complex financial picture. Between $22.3 billion and $31 billion has already been spent on Operation Epic Fury since it began on February 28, according to Elaine McCusker of the American Enterprise Institute, but the exact total cost of the war to date remains unclear given the wide range of estimates. Discrepancies exist in early-stage figures: at least $1.4 billion in losses were chalked up in the first six days of fighting alone, according to CSIS analysis, while CSIS estimates costs of $3.7 billion in the first four days, indicating significant disagreement about the initial financial impact. Total cost assessments also vary, with analysts reporting as much as $31 billion spent on five weeks of bombing, but the Wall Street Journal reported nearly $11 billion in costs in the first four days, creating uncertainty about the overall financial burden. Daily cost estimates show a nearly twofold difference: the conflict costs approximately $500 million per day, according to CSIS analysis, but research indicates daily losses of $891.4 million, affecting assessments of ongoing strain. How much additional funding the Pentagon will need to request, and the timeline for this request, are unknown, along with the specific assets damaged beyond those mentioned and their repair costs. The effectiveness of Iranian retaliatory measures in increasing U.S. costs, and the breakdown of costs attributed to defense versus offense, also remain unclear, as does the current level of public and political support for the war in the U.S. and its impact on funding decisions.