Pentagon raises Iran war cost estimate to $29 bn
May 13, 2026
Washington DC [US], May 13: The Pentagon updated its estimate for the costs of the Iran war by several billion US dollars on Tuesday.
Pentagon official Jules W Hurst III said the department now projects the war to have cost "closer to" $29 billion so far, compared to some $25 billion estimated at the end of April.
The increase was due to "updated repair and replacement of equipment cost" as well as "general operational costs," Hurst said during testimony before a House of Representatives panel.
The US launched airstrikes against Iran alongside Israel on February 28. According to Hurst, most of the funds used for the war have been spent on munitions.
A fragile ceasefire is currently in place, but talks between Iran and the United States on turning the truce into a permanent agreement have stalled amid deep differences over Iran's nuclear ambitions and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Hurst's testimony came as the Pentagon is currently seeking approval for a significant increase in defence spending.
The Trump administration's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 envisages nearly $1.5 trillion to be earmarked for defence.
Source: Qatar Tribune
