The Pentagon says its war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far. Independent estimates suggest the real number could land closer to $200 billion when all the receipts come in.
The tab keeps growing
Operation Epic Fury kicked off on February 28, 2026. Within the first six days, the Department of Defense pegged costs at $11.3 billion. By late April, that figure had more than doubled to $25 billion. By mid-May, it hit $29 billion.
On Monday, the DoD told senators it needs an additional $80 billion in supplemental funding to cover ongoing expenses.
The conflict included a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors, along with active US-Israeli military operations that burned through munitions at a staggering pace. According to DoD figures, 15 US soldiers were killed in action and 538 were wounded.
