US-Iran war costs $45.1 billion so far, Pentagon tells Congress

The ongoing US war with Iran has cost $45.1 billion so far, according to the latest estimate provided by the Pentagon to Congress, with the financial burden continuing to rise.

The Pentagon told lawmakers that war-related costs stood at $43.6 billion as of September 3, with another $1.5 billion spent on additional fuel, CNN reported.

The latest figure is higher than the Pentagon's previous estimate of $37.5 billion and the Congressional Budget Office's estimate of $38 billion for the conflict through August 1.

The $45.1 billion figure does not represent the full cost of the war. The Pentagon's estimate excludes the cost of repairing US military bases and other buildings damaged during the conflict. Congress has also sought a more detailed breakdown of indirect costs linked to military operations.

Of the $43.6 billion in direct war costs recorded as of September 3, around $28.1 billion was allocated to replacing munitions used during the conflict, while approximately $4.3 billion covered equipment losses.

The Congressional Budget Office has warned that costs could continue to rise if the conflict persists. It estimated that the war could cost the US an additional $2 billion to $3 billion every month after August 1, depending on the intensity of fighting.

The economic impact could also extend beyond military spending. The CBO has warned that the conflict could contribute to higher inflation during the first quarter of 2027, adding to economic pressures on US households.

With several categories of expenses excluded from the Pentagon's latest estimate, the eventual financial impact of the war is expected to be higher than the $45.1 billion currently reported.