US military costs for the Iran war have exceeded $47 billion, according to Pentagon data. The total stands more than 25% above Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s July estimate of $37.5 billion.
The disclosure comes days before the November 3 congressional elections, adding pressure on Republicans defending narrow majorities in both chambers. The vote will determine control of Congress for the next two years.
Reuters reported that the unpopular conflict’s impact on global energy costs has weakened support for Republican candidates and hurt President Donald Trump’s approval ratings.
The Pentagon had not publicly released the latest estimate and did not immediately answer Reuters’ request for comment.
Munitions replacement drives war costs
The estimate covers operational expenses and projects more than $29 billion to replace weapons used during the conflict.
Replacing military equipment would require more than $6 billion. That category includes “platform losses,” covering aircraft and the many drones lost during the war.
The figures also cover flight operations and cyber support. However, they do not clearly account for the substantial expense of repairing American bases after Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Separate reporting by USA Today put the total at $47.1 billion through October 16, citing an estimate Central Command provided to Congress. It also reported $6.1 billion in equipment replacement costs.
That leaves damage to US bases as a major unresolved part of the financial accounting.
Ceasefire allowed Iran to restore defences
Trump launched the war jointly with Israel in February, predicting a short conflict.
His initial strategy relied on expensive precision missiles to strike Iranian defences. US forces could then switch to cheaper weapons, including plentiful air-launched JDAM gravity bombs.
However, an April ceasefire gave Iran time to excavate underground storage facilities. Tehran restored some defences and regained access to missiles and drones that it previously could not reach.
Trump subsequently imposed a naval blockade to cut Iran’s oil export revenue. He has also raised the possibility of restarting combat operations after the midterm elections.
US officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said the Pentagon has prepared plans to resume heavy fighting if Trump orders it.
Further fighting could lift the bill
An independent Congressional Budget Office assessment adds context to the growing military bill.
In September, the agency estimated that operations against Iran had cost the Defence Department approximately $38 billion through August 1.
It projected additional monthly costs of $2 billion if violence remained low, rising to $3 billion at July’s intensity. Heavier fighting could push monthly expenses higher still.
Those estimates include replacing weapons and lost equipment, increased flying hours, other operations and higher fuel costs.
The agency cautioned that its calculations carry considerable uncertainty because the Defence Department did not respond to requests for information.
Its assessment highlights how renewed combat could increase spending beyond the Pentagon’s latest total, while base repairs remain outside a clear accounting.
