Overview
- Pentagon acting comptroller Jules Hurst told House lawmakers Wednesday the war has cost $25 billion so far, covering direct operations and munitions.
- Independent estimates run higher, with the Center for American Progress topping $33 billion, AEI placing the range at $25–35 billion, and early burn rates near $2 billion a day.
- CNN, citing unnamed internal Pentagon assessments, reported the $25 billion excludes base repairs and destroyed equipment, which could lift the tally to roughly $40–50 billion if reconstruction is counted.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the Pentagon of lying and claimed the true U.S. cost is $100 billion, a figure not supported by U.S. officials.
- Some in Congress highlight indirect costs for families through higher gas, food and energy prices, with Rep. Ro Khanna estimating about $5,000 per household to date.