Pentagon War with Iran Costs $38 Billion, Depletes Missile Stockpiles: CBO Report
The U.S. war with Iran has cost the Pentagon an estimated $38.1 billion through August 2026 and could add another $2 to $3 billion per month if hostilities continue, according to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. Over half of this expense was due to replacing missiles and munitions used in combat operations. Increased flying hours accounted for an additional $10.4 billion, while higher fuel prices added $2.7 billion. The conflict has significantly depleted U.S. missile-defense interceptors—up to two-thirds since June 2025—as the military defended Israel from Iranian attacks. Rebuilding these inventories could take at least five years even with increased production, according to CBO. The shortage poses a risk in potential conflicts involving adversaries like China and Taiwan. The Defense Department's inspector general also released an estimate of $33.4 billion as of June 29, highlighting strategic inventory shortfalls due to the rapid use of weapons systems.
Topics: missile inventory shortages Pentagon costs U.S.-Iran war