US War Costs in Iran Estimated at $37.5 Billion, Analysts Say Higher

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the cost of the war with Iran amounts to $37.5 billion for the United States. However, analysts cited by CNN suggest the actual financial burden may be considerably higher than this figure.

During a budget hearing, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin questioned Hegseth about potential cost increases, given the de facto end of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Hegseth indicated that the $37.5 billion figure includes expenses such as soldiers' meals through the end of the current fiscal year.

Earlier analyses have provided starker financial projections. In March, analysts estimated the daily cost of the conflict at over $890 million for U.S. taxpayers. This calculation was based on known military operations, including air and naval missions, ground forces, weapon systems, and missile interceptions.

Further estimates vary, with Pentagon Comptroller Jules "Jay" Herz III assessing the total cost at $29 billion in May. Preliminary data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) placed the conflict's cost to the Department of Defense at approximately $40 billion last month. Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at CSIS, noted that this estimate excludes operational expenses already integrated into the department's fiscal year 2026 budget, which exceeds $1 trillion.

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Part of the $37.5 billion concerns expenses such as soldiers' meals until the end of the current fiscal year.