Trending Now - Pentagon Reveals Iran War Expenses Hit $11.3 Billion in Week One
WHO:
Sen. Chris Coons, top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee handling defense appropriations, stated, "I expect that the total operating number is significantly above that."
Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, mentioned he expects a "very robust request" from the military for supplemental funding.
President Trump
Sen. Chris Coons, top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee handling defense appropriations
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the House Appropriations Committee
House Speaker Mike Johnson
U.S. Central Command
Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank
WHAT:
The estimate of $11.3 billion for the first week of the war is described as a low-end estimate and does not include the build-up costs.
Coons suggested it would be a "fair guess" that the war's daily cost is well over $1.5 billion, varying day-to-day.
The cost to replace munitions used in the war is "probably already well beyond $10 billion," according to Coons.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated the cost of operating military assets in the first 100 hours at $3.7 billion, including over $3 billion to replenish munitions and hundreds of millions to replace three F-15s.
The first week of the U.S. war with Iran cost approximately $11.3 billion.
The war began on February 28th, 2026.
The U.S. has struck over 5,000 targets, including Iranian ships, military bases, missile launch sites, and intelligence facilities.
The cost of munitions used during the first two days of the war was $5.6 billion.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated the first 100 hours of the war cost $3.7 billion, averaging $891.4 million per day.
The cost to replace munitions is estimated to be over $10 billion.
Three F-15s were lost during the operations.
WHERE:
Middle East
WHEN:
The briefing to Congress occurred on March 12th, 2026.
The war began on February 28th, 2026.
The briefing to Congress occurred on March 12th, 2026.
The war has been ongoing for 11 days as of March 12th, 2026.
WHY:
Some Democrats have expressed the need for more details from the administration about the cost of the campaign and its goals before considering funding approval. Coons stated, "Before I would even begin considering something like that, they owe us an accounting of how much has been expended."
The military buildup preceding the war involved moving two U.S. aircraft carriers and their escort ships to the Middle East.
HOW:
The U.S. military operations include airstrikes and interception of Iranian missiles and drones.
(UPDATED March 12, 2026 19:18 UTC)
In a briefing to Congress today, Senator Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee handling defense appropriations, indicated that the military's operating costs are likely much higher than the initial estimate of $11.3 billion for the first week of the war. Coons suggested that the daily cost could exceed $1.5 billion, while Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, anticipates a "very robust request" for supplemental funding, as the cost to replace munitions is already estimated to be well beyond $10 billion. Some Democrats are calling for more transparency from the administration regarding the campaign's costs and objectives before they consider approving any funding, with Coons emphasizing the need for a detailed accounting of expenditures.
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(UPDATED March 12, 2026 15:13 UTC)
Today, a briefing to Congress revealed that the first week of the U.S. war with Iran, which began on February 28, has already cost approximately $11.3 billion, with over 5,000 targets struck, including military bases and missile launch sites. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other key officials reported that the cost of munitions used in just the first two days reached $5.6 billion, and three F-15s were lost during operations in the Middle East. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that the first 100 hours of the conflict averaged nearly $891.4 million per day, highlighting the significant financial impact of this ongoing military engagement.