Reported U.S. War Costs Exceed $45 Billion, With the Full Bill Still Unclear
CNN, citing a Pentagon report to Congress, says costs reached $45.1 billion by September 3
IRNA, citing CNN and a Pentagon report to Congress, says the U.S. war with Iran had cost $45.1 billion by September 3, including $1.5 billion in additional fuel costs. The estimate excludes some repairs and indirect costs, so the final cost is likely not yet known.
CNN, as quoted by Iran’s IRNA news agency, reported that the U.S. Defense Department told Congress the war with Iran had cost approximately $45.1 billion through September 3. The figure consists of $43.6 billion in reported war costs and an additional $1.5 billion for fuel.
The reported estimate is higher than earlier projections: the Congressional Budget Office had forecast $38 billion through August 1, while the Pentagon had estimated $37.5 billion in July. The Congressional Budget Office also projected that the conflict could continue costing roughly $2 billion to $3 billion per month after August 1, with higher costs possible during periods of intensified fighting.
The reported total is not comprehensive. It excludes the cost of repairing damaged U.S. bases and buildings and does not provide the full detail on indirect costs requested by lawmakers. The available evidence supports describing $45.1 billion as a Pentagon estimate reported by CNN, rather than as a final independently verified cost. The Congressional Budget Office further warned that the conflict could increase inflation in the first quarter of 2027, although the evidence provided does not establish the size of that effect.