Central Command estimated the military spent at least $47.1 billion on the Iran war
A U.S. Central Command estimate put the Iran war’s cost at $47.1 billion through Oct. 16, CBS News and USA TODAY reported. About $29 billion went to replacing expended munitions, including weapons such as Patriot interceptors. The estimate was $3.5 billion above the previous update and excluded damage to U.S. bases.
More context
The U.S. military’s cost of the war with Iran reached at least $47.1 billion through Oct. 16, according to a U.S. Central Command estimate provided to Congress. CBS News and USA TODAY obtained the estimate; The New York Times reported it was shared with lawmakers last week.
CENTCOM put munitions replacement at about $29 billion, equipment replacement at $6.1 billion and incremental costs, including support for service members, at about $11.9 billion. Munitions made up more than 60 percent of expenses, and the spending has depleted stocks of some critical weapons, including Patriot interceptors.
The total was $3.5 billion above the previous update. The estimate excludes damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East. Three months earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the war had cost about $37.5 billion, also excluding base damage.
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Reporting
- CBS News — Iran war has cost $47 billion, U.S. military says - CBS News
- The Sacramento Bee (with Reuters) — US military cost of Iran war tops $47B, Pentagon tells Congress | Sacramento Bee
- The New York Times — Iran War Cost Rises to $47.1 Billion, Pentagon Told Lawmakers - The New York Times
- Ukrainian National News — War with Iran has already cost the United States $47.1 billion - NYT | УНН
Verifier’s note
CBS News, Sacramento Bee’s USA Today-originated report, and The New York Times each report the $47.1 billion estimate through mid-October. UNN explicitly cites The New York Times for the same figures.