Pentagon Puts $25 Billion Price Tag on Iran War

Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst III told the House Armed Services Committee on April 29 that the United States has spent about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury, with most of the cost allocated to munitions and the remainder to operations, maintenance and equipment replacement.

Iran war has cost the US $25 billion so far, Pentagon says

The war began on Feb. 28, 2026 with U.S. and Israeli strikes, followed by a ceasefire that President Trump later extended. The conflict has now reached the 60-day War Powers deadline.

The Fiscal Times

$11.3 billion was spent in the first six days; 45 % of precision-strike missiles and about half of THAAD and Patriot interceptors have been used, and roughly 13,000 Iranian targets have been struck. Thirteen U.S. troops are dead, and gasoline prices rose 30-40 % as the Strait of Hormuz blockade disrupted oil flow.

NPR

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the $1.5 trillion FY 2027 budget, calling congressional criticism “reckless, feckless and defeatist” and saying the campaign creates strategic opportunities. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine stressed force readiness. Rep. Adam Smith warned Iran’s nuclear program remains unchanged; Rep. Mike Rogers praised the budget; Rep. John Garamendi called the war a “quagmire.”

KRCR News Channel 7

Democrats said the war lacks a clear strategy, highlighted rapid munitions depletion, civilian casualties including a school bombing, and rising fuel prices. They urged limits on supplemental funding and a timetable to end hostilities. The Senate has rejected war-powers resolutions; a House vote failed by one.

NBC News

CNN cited sources saying total costs could be $40-50 billion when base-repair expenses are added, a figure absent from Hurst’s testimony. Hegseth later suggested the total might be below $25 billion, creating a discrepancy. No detailed breakdown has been released.

The Fiscal Times

• “The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans.” — Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary

South China Morning Post

• “So approximately at this day, we're spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury. Most of that is munitions,” — Jules Hurst III, Acting Pentagon Comptroller

US has spent $25 billion on war with Iran: Pentagon

• “I’m glad you answered that question, because we’ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one’s given us the number,” — Adam Smith, Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee

Politico

• “We will formulate a supplemental through the White House that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict,” — Jules Hurst III

KCRA 3

The 60-day War Powers deadline is May 29; the president may seek a 30-day extension or Congress could authorize continued action. The Pentagon plans a supplemental request, possibly up to $200 billion, while Pakistan-mediated talks remain stalled.

NBC News