The Defense Department’s internal overall cost estimate for the U.S. war with Iran is $80 billion to $100 billion, according to NBC News, which cited three U.S. officials and three people familiar with the estimates. This figure includes expenses related to combat operations, munitions use, and support activities in the region. NBC News said the internal estimate also includes repairing damaged U.S. military bases, replacing destroyed aircraft and fully replenishing expended American weapons. The estimates are not directly comparable because they cover different costs and were produced using different methods.
The Pentagon’s inspector general reported that heavy munitions use in the war has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls. Pentagon acquisition officials said the defense industrial base is struggling to meet demand due to bottlenecks in manufacturing. These bottlenecks involve solid rocket motors, high-grade explosives, and skilled labor needed for production. The cost of munitions alone was the most reliable part of the estimate, according to the acting Pentagon comptroller. The inspector general separately estimated Operation Epic Fury at $33.4 billion through June 29, including $22.3 billion in expended munitions, $3.7 billion in equipment losses and $7.4 billion in other obligations.
Central Command conducted approximately 36,000 combat sorties and struck around 13,500 targets during the major combat phase from February 28 through April 7. During this time, the U.S. military deployed more than 50,000 personnel across the region, including parts of the 82nd Airborne Division. The war began with President Trump suggesting it would last only weeks, but he has since indicated it could extend into November or beyond. Some senior White House officials have privately warned that the conflict may continue through the end of Trump’s term, according to reports.
The military has also faced damage to installations and equipment during operations, including dozens of aircraft destroyed or damaged. The inspector general’s $33.4 billion estimate included $3.7 billion in equipment losses but did not include the cost of repairing damaged military facilities. In addition to military expenses, the State Department has spent an estimated $113 million on war-related expenses. The report also noted that over 50,000 U.S. troops were deployed throughout CENTCOM during the conflict period.
Medical evacuation procedures changed as well, with Army helicopters relocated from Kuwait and Iraq because of concerns about Iranian drone and missile strikes. Most medical evacuations were ultimately conducted by ground to local treatment facilities.
President Trump has said the United States has a virtually unlimited supply of many munitions, while the Pentagon has said it has the weapons needed for current missions. Despite this, the industrial base cannot quickly scale up to meet demand, which has led to delays and concerns over readiness.
The war’s financial impact is now being felt across government budgets, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating at least $2 billion per month, according to a report from The Hill. In its September 15 report, CBO estimated about $38 billion in direct Defense Department costs through August 1 and projected another $2 billion to $3 billion per month depending on the intensity of fighting. CBO said it relied on government databases and public reports because the Defense Department did not respond to its requests for information.
Lawmakers like Rep. Thomas Massie have criticized the conflict as not being authorized by Congress and called it an illegal war. On September 15, the House voted 220-204 to approve a war powers resolution seeking to halt U.S. military action against Iran without congressional approval. The U.S. military has been conducting operations in the Central Command area of responsibility since February 2026. Operations have included strikes against Iranian targets and support for regional allies throughout the conflict.
The USS Abraham Lincoln has also played a major role, with ships like the USS Abraham Lincoln participating in combat missions. Some of the most significant damage occurred at military bases, including at the Navy’s main logistics hub in Bahrain. U.S. defense officials have declined to discuss battle-damage assessments when contacted by Stars and Stripes.
The war has also led to the evacuation of U.S. citizens from the region, with about 9,000 private U.S. citizens removed during the course of operations. The financial toll continues to grow as the conflict extends beyond initial expectations.
The U.S. government has not yet decided on its long-term military posture in the Middle East. This uncertainty means that future costs for infrastructure and construction have not been included in current estimates because the Defense Department has not determined what its future posture in the Middle East will be.
The conflict has also strained the U.S. military’s ability to maintain readiness across multiple theaters of operation. CBO said the large use of missile-defense interceptors will leave the United States with reduced inventories for several years and estimated that rebuilding those inventories would probably take at least five years even if production increases. Military leaders are now focused on managing resources and ensuring that operations can continue without major disruptions. The war’s duration and intensity have prompted some calls for a review of U.S. strategy in the region.
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