The cost of the US war with Iran has exceeded $47 billion, Pentagon officials informed Congress on Oct. 16, as President Donald Trump reaffirmed that he will decide when the conflict ends. Speaking at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, Trump said the war would end "whenever I want it to," but insisted Tehran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.
The Pentagon notified lawmakers that the war's price tag had surpassed $47 billion, a figure that continues to tick up as the US maintains a significant force posture in the region, including an ongoing blockade of Iranian ports, even as kinetic attacks have paused, according to the Washington Examiner.
Speaking at a rally ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Trump said, "Somebody asked me before, 'When will the war in Iran end?' I said, 'Whenever I want it to end.'" He added that ending the conflict "would be very quick, but we have to have an end properly" with a "total statement" that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon. The president also said he will soon decide whether to "make a deal" with Iran or "finish it off."
The remarks come as Trump's approval rating stands at 32%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll reported on Monday, with rising energy costs and affordability issues weighing on voters. Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi said on Oct. 12 that the war was costing American families an average of $2,000 so far, including $1,100 from higher energy costs, $540 from higher interest rate costs, and $360 from increased military spending.
The conflict shows no sign of winding down. Earlier this month, the US evacuated diplomats from Saudi Arabia, and the New York Times reported that US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for a "short but intensive" operation for strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, according to CNBC.
The $47 billion figure does not include the costs of damaged military bases in the Middle East, which were estimated at $184 million as of June 29, covering damage to US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from Iranian strikes, according to a lead inspector general report to Congress.
The war has caused "shortfalls" in US munitions, despite Trump claiming on Sept. 3 that the US had "virtually unlimited" ammunition.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The mounting cost of the Iran war continues to strain US taxpayers and household budgets, with rising energy costs and interest rate pressures.
- The conflict shows no sign of resolution, with Trump indicating further military action after the midterm elections, potentially escalating the war.
- The war has caused shortfalls in US munitions and damage to diplomatic facilities in the region, raising concerns about readiness and infrastructure.
Background
The US has been engaged in conflict with Iran, including a blockade of Iranian ports and periodic kinetic attacks. The Pentagon has provided regular cost briefings to Congress. The midterm elections on Nov. 3 are approaching, with Trump's approval ratings low due to economic pressures from the war. Plans for a potential strike on Iran after the elections have been reported.
What to Watch
- Trump's decision on whether to pursue a deal or escalate military action after the midterms.
- The outcome of the Nov. 3 midterm elections and its impact on war policy and funding.
- Further cost updates as the war continues, including potential growth in munitions replacement expenses and facility repair costs.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says the Iran war’s costs have surpassed $47 billion.Washington Examiner: “Pentagon officials informed Congress on Oct. 16 that the cost of the war had surpassed $47 billion.”
- SupportedThe headline quotes Trump saying the conflict will end “whenever I want it to.”US Top News and Analysis: “Trump has reiterated his claim that the Iran war will end “whenever I want it to,””
- SupportedPentagon officials informed Congress on Oct. 16 that the war’s cost had surpassed $47 billion.Washington Examiner: “Pentagon officials informed Congress on Oct. 16 that the cost of the war had surpassed $47 billion.”
- SupportedThe summary says Trump is weighing next steps after the midterms.Washington Examiner: “President Donald Trump publicly weighs additional military action following next week’s midterm elections.”
- SupportedAt a rally in Lubbock, Trump said, “Somebody asked me before, ‘When will the war in Iran end?’ I said, ‘Whenever I want it to end.’”US Top News and Analysis: “Speaking at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, Trump said “Somebody asked me before, ‘When will the war in Iran end?’ I said, ‘Whenever I want it to end.’””
- SupportedTrump said the war could end quickly but required a proper ending and a statement that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.US Top News and Analysis: “Trump said it “would be very quick, but we have to have an end properly ,” with a “total statement” that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.”
- SupportedTrump said he would soon decide whether to make a deal with Iran or finish it off.US Top News and Analysis: “with Trump saying that he will soon decide whether to “make a deal” with Iran or “finish it off.””
- SupportedTrump’s approval rating was 32%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll reported on Monday.US Top News and Analysis: “Currently, Trump’s approval ratings stand at 32%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll on Monday.”
- SupportedMark Zandi said the war was costing American families an average of $2,000, including $1,100 in energy costs, $540 in interest costs and $360 in military spending.US Top News and Analysis: “Mark Zandi, Moody’s Analytics’ Chief Economist said on Oct. 12 that the war was costing American families an average of $2,000 so far, where $1,100 comes from higher energy costs, $540 from higher interest rate costs, and $360 due to increased military spending.”
- SupportedThe New York Times reported that US and Israeli militaries drew up plans for a “short but intensive” operation against Iran after the midterms.US Top News and Analysis: “the New York Times reported that U.S. and Israeli militaries have drawn up specific plans for a “short but intensive” operation for strikes on Iran after the midterm elections.”
- SupportedThe war’s reported cost excludes an estimated $184 million in damage as of June 29.US Top News and Analysis: “The massive price tag on the war does not include the costs of damaged military bases in the Middle East, which is estimated at $184 million as of June 29, according to a lead inspector general report to Congress.”
- SupportedThe story says the war caused “shortfalls” in US munitions, despite Trump’s Sept. 3 claim that the US had “virtually unlimited” ammunition.US Top News and Analysis: “The Iran conflict has caused “shortfalls” in U.S. munitions, despite Trump claiming on Sept. 3 that the U.S. had “virtually unlimited” amounts of ammunition.”