US war in Iran cost double the official figure, with new details on spending
Tehran under attack on February 28, 2026 (Photo: Getty Images)
The true cost of the US war in Iran is closer to $50 billion, approximately double the public estimate the Pentagon provided in testimony to Congress this week, according to anonymous US sources for CBS News.
Stated cost of the US war in Iran
On Wednesday, a Pentagon official estimated the cost of the Defense Department's operation Epic Fury at approximately $25 billion, and that figure does not fully account for damaged or destroyed equipment or damaged US military facilities.
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before lawmakers this week to defend the Pentagon's massive $1.5 trillion budget request, US officials presented their figure.
US officials familiar with internal estimates suggested that the current cost of the war is closer to $50 billion.
Why such a price gap?
As CBS News writes, a significant part of the gap in estimates regarding the cost of the US war in Iran is explained by munitions that have already been used and need replacement.
For example, the Pentagon lost 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones — sophisticated unmanned aircraft that can cost $30 million or more each — highlighting how quickly financial losses have mounted.
Overall, the higher estimate reflects not only the pace of operations but also the frequently invisible costs associated with losses, as property destroyed in combat changes account status.
Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst testified before the Senate on Thursday that the cost of military construction is difficult to estimate.
Who cites the different amount
Democratic Senator from Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, questioned whether the operation cost only $25 billion.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons from Delaware expressed a similar doubt.
"I am frankly certain that that is low," he said, suggesting that this figure does not include the cost of deploying and maintaining forces in the theater of operations for two months and other expenses.
Latest on the war in Iran
Earlier, the US announced its intention to send the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile to the Middle East for possible use against Iran.
On April 29, US President Donald Trump confirmed his intention to increase pressure on Tehran. He stated that the naval blockade will continue until Iran agrees to a new nuclear deal.
As is known, Washington demands a complete halt to the uranium enrichment program, while Tehran calls this its sovereign right.
