The ongoing U.S.-led military campaign against Iran, now in its fourth week, has already cost American taxpayers an estimated $25 billion to $30 billion in direct military expenditures, with broader global economic damage mounting from disrupted energy supplies, surging oil prices and market volatility.
Pentagon officials briefed Congress on March 11 that the first six days of Operation Epic Fury — the codename for joint U.S.-Israeli strikes beginning Feb. 28 — exceeded $11.3 billion, primarily in munitions and operations. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett updated the figure to about $12 billion by mid-March on CBS News, though analysts say these numbers understate the total by excluding pre-war force buildups, combat losses and long-term replenishment.
