US military estimate puts Iran war cost at $43.6bn

The cost of the war with Iran has reached $43.6 billion according to a new estimate from US Central Command (CENTCOM), the body overseeing American military operations in the Middle East. The figure, reported by the Associated Press and earlier by Bloomberg and Punchbowl News, provides the most current accounting of the conflict since it was launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

A Congressional Budget Office report released on Tuesday had put the war's cost at $38 billion through August 1, and projected that expenses would continue at around $3 billion per month depending on the intensity of the conflict. The CENTCOM breakdown shows that weapons costs alone jumped by more than $6 billion in just over a month, rising from $21.7 billion in the CBO report to $28.1 billion in the new estimate, reflecting the continued use of expensive munitions by American forces.

The financial cost is only one measure of the war's impact. The conflict has also affected oil prices and the stock market, and has led to deaths and injuries among American troops. Politically, the war's unpopularity is expected to weigh on Republicans in November's midterm congressional elections, where the party faces increasing headwinds.

The latest estimate has emerged as the Trump administration pushes for a historic $1.5 trillion military budget proposal. The White House is also asking Congress to approve a $95 billion package that would help fund the Iran war and other priorities.

According to Mehr News, the new cost breakdown underscores the growing financial burden of the conflict as the administration seeks congressional approval for additional military spending.