The opening phase of the United States' war with Iran, launched under the joint U.S.-Israel campaign Operation Epic Fury, has already cost American taxpayers more than $11.3 billion in six days, according to classified Pentagon briefings delivered to Congress, highlighting the rapid financial toll of modern high-intensity warfare.
Defense officials disclosed the figure during closed-door sessions with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 10, outlining the initial cost of the campaign as U.S. forces launched thousands of strikes against Iranian military targets.
A substantial share of the early spending came from the rapid use of high-precision weapons during the first wave of attacks. Pentagon officials told lawmakers that approximately $5.6 billion worth of advanced munitions were used in the first 48 hours of operations alone.
Those expenditures reflect the growing reliance of the U.S. military on sophisticated guided weapons designed to strike targets with precision while limiting collateral damage. Such systems, however, carry high production costs.
According to officials familiar with the briefings, the opening phase of the campaign consumed weapons at an unusually rapid rate.
Key figures discussed during the classified briefings include:
- $11.3 billion - Estimated U.S. cost during the first six days of the war
- $5.6 billion - Precision munitions used in the first 48 hours
- $2 billion per day - Estimated early burn rate of weapons during the first stage
- $1 billion per day - Approximate later daily cost as the tempo slowed
Much of the spending reflects the use of precision-guided bombs, cruise missiles and stand-off weapons, systems designed to strike targets from long distances while avoiding heavily defended airspace.
Military analysts say the price of such weapons can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars per unit, depending on the platform and guidance systems involved.
Defense officials cautioned lawmakers that the $11.3 billion estimate represents only a partial snapshot of the war's financial burden.
The figure primarily covers munitions expenditures and direct operational costs during the initial phase of airstrikes. It does not include several major categories of military spending that typically accumulate during sustained conflicts.
Those additional costs include:
- Pre-strike deployment of aircraft carriers, fighter jets and support units
- Logistical support and fuel for ongoing operations
- Medical care and personnel costs for deployed forces
- Replacement of depleted weapons stockpiles and equipment
Because those categories were not included in the initial estimate, analysts say the true cost of the war's opening stage could be significantly higher once broader operational expenses are factored in.
The heavy reliance on advanced munitions also raises questions about the sustainability of the campaign if the conflict continues for months.
Precision-guided weapons, which have become a cornerstone of U.S. military strategy, require complex manufacturing processes and limited production capacity. As stockpiles decline, the Pentagon may need to request additional funding from Congress to replenish inventories.
Lawmakers from both parties have already begun pressing defense officials for detailed projections of the long-term financial impact if the war expands.
