Trump’s Iran war bill hits $45.1 billion and counting

The US conflict with Iran has cost the Trump administration an estimated $45.1 billion, according to a Pentagon estimate provided to Congress on Friday, CNN reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

The figure is higher than an earlier estimate by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which put the cost at about $38 billion through August 1.

The Pentagon's latest estimate includes $43.6 billion in war-related costs through September 3, along with another $1.5 billion for additional fuel.


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However, the $45.1 billion figure does not represent the full cost of the conflict. The CNN report, citing a source, said that the estimate does not include the cost of repairing damaged US military bases and buildings, or provide Congress with a detailed assessment of indirect military-operation costs.

The latest figure is also above the Pentagon's previous estimate of $37.5 billion in July, highlighting the rising cost of the conflict.

CBO sees $2 billion-$3 billion monthly war cost

The CBO, in a September 15 report, estimated that the Department of Defense had incurred about $38 billion in costs as of August 1. Its estimate covered operational, logistical and sustainment expenses, including replacing expended munitions and equipment lost in battle, increased flying hours, other military operations and higher fuel costs.

The budget office said the cost of the conflict would continue to rise as long as fighting persists. If the level of violence remains similar to that seen in May and June, another month of fighting would cost about $2 billion, while costs could rise to around $3 billion a month if fighting returns to the intensity seen in July. The CBO cautioned that monthly costs could be higher if the conflict escalates further.

Also Read: Iran war cost hits $38 billion, forecast to rise $3 billion a month, CBO says

The CBO also said its estimate carries considerable uncertainty because the Department of Defense did not respond to its requests for information, forcing the agency to rely on government databases and public reports.

Beyond direct military spending, the conflict has also created wider economic costs. Disruptions to oil and natural-gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and shipping through the Red Sea have pushed up global energy prices, according to the CBO.

The agency estimated that higher energy prices could add 0.5 percentage points to PCE inflation in the first quarter of 2027 compared with its February 2026 projection. Core PCE inflation was projected to be 0.3 percentage points higher.

The CBO also noted that its $38 billion estimate did not include costs borne by other parts of the federal government or expenses already covered by the existing defence budget. It was also unable to estimate potential additional costs linked to diplomatic operations and foreign aid, as these would depend on how the conflict develops.

The Pentagon's latest $45.1 billion estimate therefore represents a higher reported cost of the war, while several categories of spending remain outside the figure.