The cost of Trump's Iran war: $5 billion and counting
- Center for American Progress published a report estimating the initial costs of "Operation Epic Fury" at over $5 billion as of March 2, citing attacks on Iran and Houthi rebels, regional buildup, and lost equipment.
- Ben Freeman (Quincy Institute) agrees the $5 billion estimate is conservative, noting it excludes costs like a $1.1 billion U.S. radar system allegedly destroyed in Qatar and the extensive use of expensive missile interceptors.
- Institute for Policy Studies and National Priorities Project calculated the daily operational cost of two aircraft carrier groups and over 200 military aircraft at nearly $60 million.
- Reuters/Ipsos polling indicates widespread disapproval of the conflict, with Republican support likely to decline as U.S. casualties rise and gas prices increase.
- Chris Preble (Stimson Center) emphasizes the Trump administration's obligation to transparently communicate war costs to the American people, criticizing the administration's "disdain" for Congress and the public.
- Freeman highlights the significant cost of Patriot missiles—around $4 million each, with up to 11 used per Iranian missile—suggesting the total war cost could easily exceed $10 billion.
A new report from the Center for American Progress estimates President Trump's military actions against Iran have already cost American taxpayers over $5 billion, a figure many experts, including Ben Freeman of the Quincy Institute, believe is a conservative undercount. These costs stem from direct attacks, regional military buildup, and lost equipment, with daily operational expenses for carrier groups and aircraft reaching nearly $60 million according to the Institute for Policy Studies.
