The cost of the US military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, is rising rapidly as the conflict enters its sixth day, with early estimates putting the price of the first 100 hours at about $3.7 billion. United States President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have indicated the operation could continue for weeks. Lawmakers, the media and the public are increasingly asking how much the campaign will cost as the fighting continues.
An analysis estimates the operation is costing about $891 million per day in its early phase. Most of these expenses, roughly $3.5 billion, were not included in the Defense Department’s existing budget and could require additional funding from Congress. The estimates divide costs into three categories: operational expenses, munitions replacement and equipment losses, reports CSIS.
Operational costs are estimated at about $196 million in the first 100 hours, including air, naval and ground operations. About $178 million of that was already budgeted. Air operations account for the largest share, costing about $125 million during the initial period and rising by roughly $30 million per day as more than 200 aircraft participate in the campaign.
Naval operations cost about $64 million in the first 100 hours and add roughly $15 million daily. The U.S. fleet currently includes two aircraft carriers, 14 destroyers and three littoral combat ships operating in the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and eastern Mediterranean. Ground operations, including artillery and missile defence units, cost about $7 million initially and increase by around $1.6 million each day.
The largest expense comes from replacing weapons used during the strikes. U.S. forces are estimated to have fired more than 2,000 munitions against Iranian targets in the first 100 hours. Replenishing those weapons could cost about $3.1 billion, with offensive strike munitions accounting for roughly $1.5 billion and air defense interceptors about $1.7 billion.
Costs may fall if the U.S. shifts from expensive long-range missiles, such as Tomahawks, to cheaper precision-guided bombs like JDAMs as Iranian air defences weaken.
Equipment losses and infrastructure damage add another $350 million. The U.S. has acknowledged losing three F-15 fighter jets in a friendly-fire incident, while Iranian missile and drone attacks have damaged some facilities in Kuwait and Qatar.
Analysts say the Pentagon will likely need additional funding from Congress, possibly through a supplemental spending bill, if the conflict continues.
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