Rising Cost of Iran War for US | Insider Reveals Pentagon’s Secret Planning
EghtesadOnline: The US military’s costs for the war with Iran have exceeded $47 billion, according to Pentagon data, more than 25% above the Defense Department’s estimate in July. More than $29 billion is projected to be needed to replace expended munitions, while over $6 billion would be required to replace military equipment and platforms lost during the conflict.
The US military has spent more than $47 billion to prosecute the war in Iran, according to Pentagon data, a figure more than 25% higher than the Defense Department’s estimate in July.
The disclosure of the rising cost of the Iran war comes as Republicans grapple with the political fallout from the unpopular conflict ahead of the November 3 election, which will determine control of Congress for the next two years.
The war’s impact on global energy costs has weakened support for Republican candidates and hurt President Donald Trump’s approval ratings. Trump’s Republican Party currently holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
More Than $29 Billion Needed to Replace Expended Munitions
The Pentagon’s latest estimate concerns the operational costs of the war. More than $29 billion is projected to be needed to replace munitions expended during the conflict.
A further $6 billion or more would be required to replace military equipment and compensate for what are known as “platform losses.” These include aircraft losses, among them a large number of drones destroyed during the war.
These costs indicate that a substantial share of the war’s financial burden, beyond the expenses of ongoing military operations, will come from replacing used munitions and lost equipment.
Trump’s Initial Strategy and Iran’s Restored Defensive Capabilities
Trump launched the war against Iran jointly with Israel in February, predicting that the conflict would be short-lived.
His initial strategy focused on using expensive, high-end precision missiles to strike Iran’s defenses, allowing the US military to subsequently rely on less expensive munitions. These included air-delivered Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs, which are available in substantial quantities.
However, an April ceasefire gave Iran time to clear debris from underground storage facilities, bringing some of the country’s defensive systems, as well as missiles and drones that had previously been inaccessible, back into operation.
Trump has since imposed a naval blockade on Iran aimed at cutting off its oil export revenues and has raised the possibility of resuming military operations after the midterm elections.
US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, say the Pentagon has been planning for a resumption of heavy fighting if ordered to do so./reuters