War Costing US $1 Billion a Day
The financial toll of the United States’ military campaign against Iran is mounting quickly, with the overall cost already reaching into the tens of billions of dollars, according to information shared with Congress and economic projections. The growing price tag is adding pressure to Washington’s budget outlook at a time when federal deficits and national debt are already climbing.
During a classified briefing on Capitol Hill, Pentagon officials informed lawmakers that the conflict had already cost more than $11.3 billion within the first six days of fighting. The figure was disclosed in several reports citing individuals familiar with the closed-door discussion.
That estimate, initially revealed by The New York Times and later verified by NBC News, accounts primarily for direct operational costs and does not factor in additional expenses such as the military buildup that took place before the attacks or longer-term costs tied to sustaining the campaign.
Some lawmakers believe the true cost is already higher than the early projections.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said the current estimate likely understates the true cost of the conflict.
“I expect that the current total operating number is significantly above that,” Coons told reporters, noting that the initial figures largely focus on replacing munitions used during the first wave of attacks.
The opening phase of the operation relied heavily on sophisticated weapon systems, including AGM-154 glide bombs, which defense experts say cost between $578,000 and $836,000 per unit.
Outside analysts say the daily expense of the war is substantial and continuing to rise. Some estimates place the ongoing cost between $800 million and $1 billion per day, depending on the intensity of military operations.
Financial experts warn that the total bill could climb sharply if the war continues for several more weeks.
Researchers working with the Penn Wharton Budget Model estimate that a conflict lasting two months could add approximately $65 billion in new expenses for American taxpayers, according to a report by Fortune. Those costs would come at a time when federal finances are already under significant strain.
Earlier this year, projections from the Congressional Budget Office indicated that the federal deficit could reach 6.5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product by 2035, while national debt could grow to roughly 120 percent of GDP—levels that many economists say would be difficult to sustain.
Debt service is already a major burden on the federal budget. Interest payments alone now account for nearly 20 percent of government spending, making additional borrowing increasingly expensive.
If the military campaign continues, lawmakers may need to approve a supplemental spending package to pay for the ongoing operations.
Members of Congress from both parties have already begun asking how long the conflict is expected to last and what the administration’s long-term strategy will be.
Some Republicans are calling for expanded production of military munitions to ensure the United States maintains sufficient stockpiles, while others are hesitant to authorize funding that could support a prolonged and open-ended war.
The growing costs are arriving at a time when federal finances are already under pressure from rising entitlement obligations and higher interest payments on the national debt.
On the battlefield, the situation remains unsettled.
The war has now entered its second week, with military activity continuing across the region and tensions rising near the Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for global oil shipments.
President Donald Trump has suggested the war could end soon, though he has also acknowledged that the conflict could continue depending on developments on the ground.
{Matzav.com}
