IRIA News

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The United States has spent approximately $25 billion on its ongoing military campaign against Iran, marking the first official cost estimate released by the Pentagon since the conflict began nearly two months ago.

The figure was disclosed by Jules Hurst, the acting Pentagon comptroller, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. He testified alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine.

“Approximately to this day, we’re spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury,” Hurst told lawmakers. “Most of that [is] in munitions. There is part of that, it’s obviously [operations and maintenance] and equipment replacement.”

Costs Rising Rapidly

The $25 billion estimate reflects the cost of sustained U.S. air and naval operations, as well as the replenishment of high-end military systems used during the campaign.

Earlier in the conflict, Pentagon officials indicated that the first week alone cost roughly $11 billion, highlighting the intensity and expense of early operations.

The war began on February 28, with the U.S. deploying significant military assets to the region, including three aircraft carriers and tens of thousands of additional troops.

Despite a fragile ceasefire, operations and associated costs have continued to accumulate. The Pentagon has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of how the $25 billion figure was calculated or whether it includes long-term repair and reconstruction costs for damaged military infrastructure.

The financial burden is expected to grow further. Administration officials are discussing a supplemental funding request that could reach up to $200 billion to cover continued operations and replenish depleted weapons stockpiles, though no final figure has been confirmed.

Hurst told lawmakers that the administration would submit a formal request “once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict.”

Congress Presses for Transparency

Lawmakers have repeatedly pressed the Pentagon for clarity on the financial scope of the war. Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, noted that this was the first time a concrete figure had been provided.

“I’m glad you answered that question, because we’ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one’s given us the number,” Smith said during the hearing.

The conflict is approaching the 60-day threshold set by the War Powers Resolution of 1973, after which Congress may be required to formally approve or reject continued military action. So far, legislative efforts to halt the war have failed narrowly in both chambers.

Strategic Impact Questioned

Beyond cost concerns, lawmakers are increasingly questioning whether the campaign has achieved its stated objectives.

Smith argued that Iran’s core military capabilities remain largely intact. “As we sit here today, Iran’s nuclear program is exactly what it was before this war started,” he said.

“They have not lost their capacity to inflict pain. They still have a ballistic missile program. They’re still able to blockade the Strait of Hormuz,” Adam Smith added.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had global economic consequences, disrupting oil shipments and contributing to rising fuel prices worldwide. U.S. gasoline prices have climbed to their highest levels in nearly four years, reflecting broader supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict.

At the same time, U.S. officials have acknowledged that Iranian strikes have caused more extensive damage to American bases and equipment in the region than previously disclosed, potentially adding billions in future repair costs.

Administration Defends the Campaign

Senior defense officials have pushed back strongly against criticism, arguing that the war is necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

“What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?” U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during the hearing.

Hegseth also criticized opponents of the war, stating: “The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless, and defeatist words of congressional Democrats,” and “some Republicans.”

The administration has maintained that the campaign is not a prolonged quagmire, despite its growing financial and political costs.

Independent Estimates

Independent assessments suggest that the true cost of the war may already meet or exceed the Pentagon’s official figure.

The Center for American Progress previously estimated that the conflict had reached approximately $25 billion based on early data and external analysis.

Similarly, the American Enterprise Institute assessed that costs could fall between $25 billion and $35 billion as early as April.

These estimates raise questions about whether the Pentagon’s figure fully captures the total financial impact, particularly given the lack of clarity on infrastructure damage, long-term maintenance, and future replenishment needs.

Hurst acknowledged that additional funding would be required, reiterating that a supplemental request would be submitted once a full accounting is completed.

Lawmakers remain concerned about the transparency and trajectory of spending, especially as the administration considers requesting tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars more.

Political and Economic Pressure Builds

The rising cost of the war is becoming a central political issue in Washington, particularly as it coincides with increasing economic pressure on U.S. consumers.

Disruptions in global energy markets have driven up fuel and commodity prices, contributing to inflation concerns. Public support for the conflict remains limited, with recent polling indicating declining approval for the war effort.

With midterm elections approaching, the financial and strategic implications of the Iran campaign are expected to remain a key point of debate, both in Congress and among voters.

As the Pentagon prepares its formal funding request and the conflict moves beyond its initial authorization window, the focus is likely to intensify on both the cost and the long-term objectives of the war.