A senior US Pentagon official has reported that Washington’s ongoing military campaign related to Iran has already cost about $29 billion since late February, an increase from earlier estimates of $25 billion.
The update was provided during a congressional hearing by Defense Undersecretary for Comptroller Jules Jay Hurst, who said the revised figure reflects rising expenses linked to equipment repairs, replacements, and continued deployment operations.
According to Hurst, defense cost assessments are regularly updated as new operational data becomes available, pushing the estimate upward as the conflict continues.
However, the official figure has sparked debate among analysts and policymakers, some of whom argue the real cost could be significantly higher. Independent estimates cited in financial and academic circles suggest the total burden could eventually reach hundreds of billions—or even as high as $1 trillion—when long-term reconstruction, military losses, and broader strategic costs are included.
Earlier estimates had already faced scrutiny after reports suggested the Pentagon’s calculations excluded extensive damage to US military assets in the region. Some analysts believe that once equipment replacement and infrastructure rebuilding are fully considered, costs could rise dramatically beyond current projections.
The ongoing conflict, which began in late February, has involved sustained military operations and retaliatory strikes in the region, further increasing operational spending for the United States and its allies.
The growing financial strain is also being reflected in market reactions, with concerns about long-term fiscal pressure and uncertainty over the duration of the conflict.
As debates continue in Washington over the true cost of the war, experts warn that the final financial impact may only become clear years after active hostilities end.
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