Breaking down the military’s nearly $40 billion Iran war

Published September 15, 2026 5:29pm ET | Updated September 15, 2026 5:29pm ET



The most recent government cost estimate for the war in Iran is roughly $38 billion, which is from the Congressional Budget Office, though the actual cost is already higher.

The CBO released its latest cost analysis on Tuesday in response to a request from Rep. Brandon Boyle (D-PA), the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, though the cutoff date for its estimate is Aug. 1, so the cost has continued to rise since then. The $38 billion estimate includes the costs of replacing expended munitions, equipment lost in battle, increased flying hours, and increased fuel costs, among others.

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