US Military Campaign Against Iran: Initial Costs Exceed $700 Million
Escalating Costs of Military Operations
In the first day of its military operations against Iran, the United States is estimated to have incurred expenses exceeding $700 million, as the conflict intensifies across the Middle East. Reports from Turkey’s Anadolu news agency indicate that the US expenditures reached approximately $779 million on the inaugural day of Operation Epic Fury. This figure includes around $630 million allocated for pre-strike preparations, which involved repositioning aircraft, deploying numerous naval vessels, and mobilizing regional assets, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Significant costs were attributed to the US Central Command's deployment of fighter jets, which included F-18, F-16, F-22, and F-35 models, forming the backbone of the initial airstrikes. Based on projected operational hours and maintenance costs outlined in the Defense Department's budget requests for 2025 and 2026, these sorties are estimated to have cost around $271.34 million.
Other aircraft involved in the operations include EA-18G Growler electronic warfare planes, A-10C Thunderbolt attack aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System. Additionally, maintaining a substantial naval presence contributes to the overall expenses. The Center for a New American Security estimates that operating a carrier strike group, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford, costs approximately $6.5 million daily. If multiple strike groups remain active for extended periods, costs could escalate into the hundreds of millions.
Historical data indicates that military costs can rise swiftly. The Pentagon has previously reported expenditures exceeding $1 trillion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as for homeland defense, according to figures released through April 30, as noted in a Bloomberg report from 2011. Spending on Afghanistan operations surged, pushing the Pentagon's total over the $1 trillion threshold, with monthly costs rising from $4.3 billion to $6.2 billion in April 2011.
A study by Brown University on the Costs of War reveals that since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the US has allocated $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel, according to analyst William D. Hartung from the Quincy Institute. Furthermore, between $9.65 billion and $12.07 billion has been directed towards operations in Yemen and the surrounding region.
President Donald Trump has indicated that the military campaign could extend for four to five weeks, although he noted it might continue longer if deemed necessary.