The United States’ military operation in Iran has incurred a cost of roughly $25 billion, a senior Pentagon official disclosed on Wednesday. Jules Hurst, serving as the acting comptroller, presented the figure to the House Armed Services Committee, noting that the bulk of the expense relates to munitions. The estimate, the first official damage‑assessment for the war, did not specify whether it includes projected reconstruction of damaged bases in the region.
Rep. Adam Smith, the committee’s senior Democrat, responded that the administration had long resisted releasing a total cost figure. “I’m glad you answered that question. Because we’ve been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one’s given us the number,” he said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the expenditure, arguing it is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. “What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb? What would you pay?” he asked lawmakers. He also rebuked Democratic critics, labeling them “reckless, feckless, and defeatist.”
The $25 billion tally matches the entire current-year budget of NASA, underscoring the war’s financial scale. The figure contrasts with a Reuters report from last month that the Trump administration estimated the first six days of the conflict cost at least $11.3 billion. It is unclear how the Pentagon arrived at the new total.
Since the first U.S. strikes on February 28, the conflict has expanded to include a fragile cease‑fire, the deployment of three aircraft carriers, and the infusion of tens of thousands of additional troops into the Middle East. Thirteen American service members have been killed and hundreds wounded.
The war’s economic repercussions are felt at home. Disruptions to oil and natural‑gas shipments have pushed U.S. gasoline prices to their highest level in nearly four years, while fertilizer and other agricultural costs have risen. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows public support for the war slipping to 34 percent, down from 38 percent in mid‑March, and President Trump’s approval has similarly declined.
Global oil markets have reacted sharply. Brent crude for June delivery jumped 7.1 percent to $126.41 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate rose 3.4 percent to $110.31, before both moderated. Analysts say traders are adjusting expectations, anticipating a longer‑than‑initially‑foreseen conflict.
Negotiations remain stalled. Iran submitted a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but President Trump reportedly doubts Tehran’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. The war’s trajectory and its fiscal burden will likely shape U.S. political dynamics ahead of the November elections, where control of Congress hangs in the balance.
