The U.S. military has reportedly spent over $5 billion on munitions within the first two days of Operation Epic Fury, which is more than the $9.4 billion reductions outlined in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts approved by Congress.
Initiated on February 28, the military operation aimed at Iran specifically targeted the headquarters and facilities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. This resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei along with around 49 high-ranking government and military officials, marking a significant impact on Iran’s governing landscape. According to the Pentagon, $5.6 billion was utilized in munitions during these initial days of the operation. Three unnamed U.S. officials shared this information with The Washington Post.
A Congress official mentioned in a report that the Pentagon anticipates costs associated with the war could reach about $1 billion daily. There’s even talk of the Pentagon possibly requesting an additional $50 billion. Moreover, Republican officials have suggested that the Trump administration might seek tens of billions more for the conflict. Certain lawmakers have indicated that the Pentagon could be spending as much as $2 billion a day, according to insights shared with Politico.
On March 9, President Trump remarked to reporters that the war could conclude “soon,” although no definitive timeline was provided.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the initial 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury incurred estimated costs of about $3.5 billion. Data from the Iran Cost Ticker indicated that total spending reached more than $11.6 billion by March 11, outpacing the previously mentioned DOGE cuts.
The DOGE reductions approved by Congress included funding aimed at children’s programming, but those specifics seem somewhat distracting from the larger military expenditures. When approached by the Daily Caller News Foundation regarding the accuracy of financial figures released about the Iran conflict, the Pentagon had no comment.
The Brown University War Expenses Project calculated that the U.S. government might have expended between $31.35 billion and $33.77 billion from October 2023 to September 2025. This figure encompassed military assistance to Israel and operations across various parts of the Middle East.
The Trump administration hasn’t released any formal assessment of the war’s financial impact, yet more reports continue to surface.
Operation Epic Fury has heavily relied on cruise missiles, particularly the Tomahawk and the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles. Observations indicate that sophisticated precision strike missiles were deployed early in the operation. The estimated cost for a single Tomahawk missile is around $2.2 million, while the JAASM missile is approximately $1.6 million. Details regarding new missile procurements and their anticipated costs have surfaced in the Defense Department’s budget estimates.
Recent reports have highlighted a transfer of U.S. military systems, including THAAD and Patriot missile systems from South Korea to the Middle East, raising further discussions about military preparedness and logistical adjustments amidst ongoing operations.
In a recent meeting at the White House, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed concerns regarding the depletion of military resources due to ongoing support initiatives elsewhere, which could pose challenges for extensive military endeavors in Iran. Following the initial phase of the attacks, the Army Secretary indicated a transition to conventional munitions, citing a strong inventory of GPS and laser-guided bombs.
On March 6, President Trump revealed on Truth Social that leaders from major U.S. defense contractors had agreed to increase military production significantly, with plans to produce advanced weaponry. He underscored the military’s capability to tap into a nearly limitless supply of certain munitions.
