US military cost of Iran war tops $47B, Pentagon tells Congress

US military cost of Iran war tops $47B, Pentagon tells Congress.

Key points

• Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier lately returned home to San Diego after a grueling, 321-day deployment in the Middle East.
• The United States and Israel jointly introduced airstrikes against Iran on Feb.
• The war has additionally taken a toll on the more than 50, 000 U.S.
• The Air Force, which has lost dozens of aircraft during the war, has spent $7.6 billion since fighting began, the most among the armed services.
• Five Democratic senators are demanding the Pentagon publicly disclose the full cost of the Iran war.

US military cost of Iran war tops $47B, Pentagon tells Congress. Miles J. Herszenhorn USA TODAY. Democrats seek answers on Iran war costs and military damage.

Five Democratic senators are demanding the Pentagon publicly disclose the full cost of the Iran war. Senator Elizabeth Warren led the letter seeking unclassified details regarding damage to American military facilities.

WASHINGTON – The war in Iran has cost the U.S. Military $47.1 billion as of Oct. 16, according to an estimate U.S. Central Command provided to Congress.

In practice, the cost update, obtained by USA TODAY, is almost certainly a significant undercount of the total cost of the war as it does not include estimates regarding damage to U.S. Bases and facilities throughout the Middle East that were hit by Iranian strikes.

In practice, the latest cost estimate is $3.5 billion higher than U.S. Central Command's last update on the financial impact of the Iran war.

For context, the Pentagon remarked it has spent more than $29 billion to replace expended munitions such as air defense interceptors and bombs. The military spent an extra $6.1 billion on equipment replacement costs.

Meanwhile, the war in Iran, which has lasted for almost eight months, has caused a shortage of certain critical munitions that the U.S. Military needs to defend itself in other parts of the world, such as the Indo-Pacific. The Pentagon has expended roughly 65% of its Patriot missile interceptor stockpiles.

Notably, the Air Force, which has lost dozens of aircraft during the war, has spent $7.6 billion since fighting began, the most among the armed services. The Army has spent $2.1 billion while the Navy has spent $1.5 billion.

Meanwhile, the United States and Israel jointly introduced airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28 in a bid to cripple the Iranian state. President Donald Trump initially predicted that the war would last only a few weeks, but it has dragged on for months.

'Outrageous and unacceptable': Democratic senators demand Pentagon reveal 'true cost' of Iran war.

For context, the war has additionally taken a toll on the more than 50, 000 U.S. Service members who have deployed to Central Command's area of responsibility. At least 21 U.S. Service members have died, and 865 have been wounded since Feb. 28, according to the U.S. Military's official casualty database.

For context, the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier lately returned home to San Diego after a grueling, 321-day deployment in the Middle East. The crew of roughly 5, 000 spent a number of months at sea while operating in an active combat zone, a period of time that took a significant toll on sailors. Eight sailors assigned to the carrier strike group attempted suicide during the deployment.

Meanwhile, the prolonged conflict upended the global economy, sending oil rates skyrocketing and driving up inflation. The war, which is deeply unpopular with Americans, may additionally hurt Republicans at the ballot box in next week's midterm elections.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States may resume major military operations against Iran after the midterm elections. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth lately traveled to U.S. Central Command and Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Notably, the Trump administration has unsuccessfully tried to force Iran to capitulate to U.S. Demands through military strikes, diplomatic negotiations, and economic sanctions. As Washington and Tehran remain at a stalemate, Trump may resort to a renewed bombing campaign against Iran.

"I have a decision to make: Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal?" Trump informed Fox News on Oct. 25. "We don't play games." Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, US military cost of Iran war tops $47B, Pentagon tells Congress remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.