U.S. has spent about $25 billion on the war against Iran

U.S. officials estimate that the war with Iran has cost the United States about $25 billion, largely for weapons, ammunition and other military materiel, according to information provided by the Pentagon to Congress.

Pentagon estimate: about $25 billion for Operation Epic Fury

On April 29, Jay Hurst, the U.S. Department of Defense comptroller, told lawmakers that the United States has spent “about $25 billion for Operation Epic Fury,” the Pentagon’s first public estimate of the conflict’s cost.

“Most of this cost is for weapons, ammunition and materiel,” Hurst said, adding that the figure reflects spending tied to the use of high-cost systems during the campaign.

Weapons use and impact on stocks

The U.S. military has used large numbers of missiles and expensive air-defense systems in operations against Iran. The White House has denied claims that the war has caused ammunition shortages in U.S. armed forces.

However, reporting cited by the Financial Times indicates that the use of Tomahawk missiles and the Patriot and THAAD interceptors has reduced stocks and exceeded the annual production rate of these weapons.

Ceasefire continues; pressure efforts remain

While U.S. bombing campaigns against Iran have paused amid a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, U.S. efforts to pressure Iran economically through a naval blockade are ongoing. The operation includes more than a dozen warships and 100 aircraft.

Additional deployments to the Middle East

Since the ceasefire was announced, the United States has deployed additional warships and thousands of troops to the Middle East, including a third aircraft carrier. This marks the first time the U.S. Navy has had three such ships in the region in more than 20 years.

Funding request and uncertainty over future costs

At the April 29 hearing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—appearing before Congress publicly for the first time since the Iran war began—did not provide an estimate of how much more the conflict will cost. He said: “What is the value of ensuring Iran never obtains nuclear weapons, given the regime's extreme ambitions?”

Hurst testified alongside Hegseth and General Dan Cane, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during discussions on a record Pentagon budget of $1.5 trillion. Hurst said Congress will receive a request for additional funding “as soon as we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict.”

Initially, the Pentagon proposed adding $200 billion. Hegseth said that figure could change.

What is included in the $25 billion figure

Pentagon officials said the proposed $1.5 trillion budget does not yet include the costs of the Iran war. They also said the $25 billion estimate includes losses in equipment and maintenance costs.

Equipment losses reported

A range of U.S. military assets have been damaged or lost, including fighter aircraft, attack and transport aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and radar, attributed to Iran’s attacks and mis-targeting incidents.