The United States war against Iran has cost at least $29 billion so far, Pentagon Comptroller Jay Hurst told the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday — a $4 billion upward revision from the $25 billion figure the Pentagon disclosed to Congress roughly two weeks ago.
“At the time of testimony from the House Armed Services Committee, it was $25 billion but the joint staff team and the comptroller team are constantly looking at that estimate, and so now we think it’s closer to 29. That’s because of updated repair and replacement of equipment costs, and also just general operational costs to keep people in theater,” Hurst said.
The revised figure is still likely an undercount. CNN previously reported that the $25 billion estimate was a lowball number that excluded repair costs for extensive damage sustained by US bases across the Middle East. At least one source put a more complete estimate at $40–50 billion when accounting for base repairs and the replacement of damaged assets. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon would “share what we can … when it’s relevant and required.”
The original $25 billion disclosure in late April was the first official public figure released for the conflict, which began on February 28. At that earlier hearing, Hegseth clashed with Democratic members who called the campaign a “quagmire,” while Reuters/Ipsos polling showed approval for the war had fallen to 34 percent.
The rapidly escalating cost estimate has compounded the economic pressures already radiating through the region. Sri Lanka’s fuel import bill has risen sharply since the conflict began, with the Hormuz blockade and disruption to Gulf shipping driving up insurance premiums and per-barrel costs on crude and diesel shipments. The IEA has called the conflict the biggest energy crisis in history in terms of supply disruption.
