The Pentagon has told Congress that the war in Iran cost US$43.6 billion through September 3, with bombs, missiles and other munitions accounting for more than 60 per cent of the expenses.
The estimate provided the first unclassified breakdown of costs incurred by each armed service. The Air Force spent US$6.6 billion operating dozens of fighter and bomber squadrons, the Navy US$2.2 billion deploying more than two dozen warships, and the Army US$1.6 billion sustaining its forces in the region. More than 50,000 troops are assigned to the mission.
Since the war began on February 28, the military has spent US$28.1 billion on munitions, depleting global stockpiles of critical weapons such as Patriot air-defence interceptors and drawing supplies from US commands in Asia and Europe. The Pentagon spent US$4.3 billion replacing damaged or destroyed combat aircraft and other equipment.
Congressional officials said the figures are almost certainly on the low side, noting the estimate did not include US$1.5 billion for fuel and other costs requested in a supplemental budget request. The costs of repairing or replacing US military facilities damaged by Iranian attacks were also excluded.
The Congressional Budget Office said the war cost roughly US$38 billion through August 1 and projected it would continue to cost about US$2 billion to US$3 billion per month, with rebuilding depleted stockpiles potentially taking at least five years.
