US war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, says Pentagon official

2 min read Updated: Apr 30, 2026 11:02 AM IST A thick plume of smoke rises from an oil storage facility hit by a U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/File) A Pentagon official Wednesday said the The United States’ war on Iran has ​cost $25 billion so far. This is the first official estimate of the military’s ‌price tag for Middle East conflict, news agecny Reuters reported . Earlier in an estimate of the war costs, the United Nations’ humanitarian agency has flagged that the funding could have saved 87 million lives if allocated as humanitarian aid. “For every day of this conflict, $2 billion is being spent. My entire target for a hyper-prioritised plan to save 87 million lives is $23bn. We could have funded that in less than a fortnight of this reckless war. Now, of course, we cannot,” The Guardian quoted Fletcher as saying. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Tom Fletcher, the head of the UN’s humanitarian agency, had predicted that, with food and fuel inflation inching closer to 20%, the world would feel the impact for years, pushing more people in sub-Saharan Africa and east Africa into poverty. Just six months left to go before the US’s midterm elections in which President Donald Trump ’s Republicans may face an uphill task to maintain a majority in the House, Democrats are gaining traction in the public opinion polls as they attempt to link the heavily cricised Iran war with affordability. Democrats grilled US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as he appeared before the House armed services committee alongside Genral Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff with Representative John Garamendi of California calling it a “quagmire” and “political and economic disaster at every level.” Hegseth denied that America and Israel’s war on Iran is a “quagmire” and called Democratic lawmakers “feckless” for criticising the conflict. Story continues below this ad Hegseth, who testified before the Congress for the first time since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, asked the lawmakers to approve a $1.5 trillion defence budget and criticised some lawmakers as “the biggest challenge” in the war effort. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: donald trump