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U.S. military estimates Iran war has cost $47.1 billion

The figure, provided to lawmakers, is up from roughly $37.5 billion cited by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth three months ago.

Updated Oct 28, 2026 · 20:18 UTC3 reports

The short version

  • U.S. Central Command estimates the Iran war has cost the U.S. military at least $47.1 billion as of mid-October.[CBS News]
  • Replacing expended munitions makes up about $29 billion, and the administration disputes inspector general warnings of inventory shortfalls.[CBS News]
  • President Trump has suggested hostilities could restart after the midterms unless Iran agrees to a deal.[CBS News]
  • The Congressional Budget Office estimates continued fighting could cost $2 billion to $3 billion per month.[CBS News]

Key facts

  • U.S. Central Command estimates the Iran war has cost the U.S. military at least $47.1 billion as of mid-October.[The Washington Sun · CBS News]
  • Replacing expended munitions accounts for about $29 billion of the total estimated cost.[CBS News]
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited about $37.5 billion three months earlier, excluding damage to U.S. bases.[CBS News]
  • The Congressional Budget Office estimated last month that continuing the war could cost $2 billion to $3 billion per month.[CBS News]
  • The Pentagon's official tally lists 21 service members killed and 865 wounded in the conflict.[The Washington Sun]
  • The Pentagon's inspector general reported last month that the U.S. faces strategic inventory shortfalls, a finding the Trump administration disputes.[CBS News]

What remains uncertain

  • The total excludes damage to U.S. bases in the Middle East, and the amount of that damage is not included in the figure.[The Washington Sun · CBS News]
  • Whether hostilities resume after the midterms is unknown; Trump has only suggested it might happen unless Iran agrees to a deal.[CBS News]
  • The inventory shortfall finding is disputed by the Trump administration, which argues the military is not facing shortages.[CBS News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.