The estimated cost of the United States’ war with Iran has climbed to more than $47 billion, according to the latest Pentagon assessment, which has not yet been made public. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the figures.
The rising financial burden comes as Republicans face growing political pressure over the conflict ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the next two years.
The war’s impact on global energy prices has weighed on support for Republican candidates and contributed to pressure on President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
According to the latest estimate, more than $29 billion would be required to replace the munitions used during the conflict. A further $6 billion or more could be needed to replace damaged or lost military equipment, including aircraft and drones.
The figures reflect operational expenses associated with the war, although the overall financial impact could be higher.
Trump launched the war jointly with Israel in February, initially predicting that the conflict would be brief.
The administration’s early military strategy relied on expensive, advanced precision missiles to weaken Iran’s air defences and military infrastructure. US forces were then expected to shift towards less costly weapons, including Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits that convert conventional bombs into precision-guided weapons.
However, an April ceasefire gave Iran time to recover equipment from underground storage facilities and restore some defensive systems, missiles and drones that had previously been inaccessible.
Trump subsequently imposed a naval blockade aimed at restricting Iran’s oil exports and reducing its revenue. He has also left open the possibility of resuming military operations after the midterm elections.
US officials, speaking anonymously, said the Pentagon had been preparing for the possibility of renewed heavy fighting if the administration ordered it.
The latest assessment represents an increase from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s July estimate, which placed the cost of the war at $37.5 billion.
Although the Pentagon’s calculations include a range of operational expenses, such as military flights and cyber support, it remains unclear whether the estimates fully account for the substantial costs of repairing US military bases damaged by Iranian missile and drone attacks.
