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Pentagon Spends $5.6 Billion in Iran Conflict Amid Criticism

3/10/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Pentagon reports spending $5.6 billion on munitions in the first two days of its campaign against Iran.
The phase of Operation Epic Fury has struck more than 5,000 targets in Iran.
The U.S. military plans to shift from precision munitions to laser-guided bombs.
Critics say funds could be used domestically; polls show a majority oppose the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump remains optimistic that conflict will be resolved quickly.

History

Historical Context

Operation Desert Storm, conducted from January 17 to February 28, 1991, involved a coalition of 34 nations led by the U.S. to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The U.S. deployed over 500,000 troops and incurred costs around $61 billion. Current tensions with Iran reflect similar public dissent and military spending, echoing the anti-war sentiments that shaped U.S. foreign policy post-Gulf War.

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Story summary

The Pentagon reports spending $5.6 billion on munitions in the first two days of its campaign against Iran.
The phase of Operation Epic Fury has struck more than 5,000 targets in Iran.
The U.S. military plans to shift from precision munitions to laser-guided bombs.
Critics say funds could be used domestically; polls show a majority oppose the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump remains optimistic that conflict will be resolved quickly.

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