The financial toll of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has surged to $29 billion, according to the latest assessment from the Pentagon. This figure represents an increase of $4 billion since the last estimate provided at the end of the previous month.
Jules Gerst, the acting Pentagon comptroller, revealed the updated costs during a session with U.S. lawmakers. He noted that the revised figures encompass additional expenses related to the repair and replacement of equipment, as well as operational costs.
“The Joint Staff and the comptroller’s team are continually reviewing this estimate,” Gerst stated.
Gerst’s comments came during a briefing that included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Kane, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Previously, on April 29, the Pentagon had estimated the costs of the conflict at $25 billion. However, it remains unclear how the department arrived at the new total of $29 billion, as reported by Reuters.
Since the onset of hostilities with Iran, the U.S. has faced significant depletion of its stockpile of precision-guided munitions. Estimates suggest that within the first 12 days of the campaign, a substantial portion of these munitions, which had been accumulated over years, was utilized, necessitating time and considerable funds for replenishment.
In response to these challenges, the Pentagon has begun ramping up production of critical air defense systems. Notably, a contract worth $4.7 billion was awarded to Lockheed Martin to expedite the production of interceptor missiles for the Patriot missile systems.
The Pentagon has reported that U.S. expenditures in the conflict with Iran have reached $29 billion, reflecting a significant increase due to operational and equipment costs. The military is responding by increasing production of essential defense systems to address the depletion of precision munitions.