First Week of Iran War Cost More Than $11.3 Billion: Report

Amid mounting questions surrounding the objectives of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran , multiple news outlets reported that Pentagon officials told lawmakers during a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill Tuesday that the estimated cost of the conflict exceeded $11.3 billion in the first six days. According to The New York Times , which first reported the news, the number did not include associated costs such as the preparation of military hardware and personnel ahead of the initial strikes.

“I expect that the current total operating number is significantly above that,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told reporters Wednesday, per NBC News . “If all you’re looking at is the replacement cost for the munitions used, it’s already well beyond $10 billion.” In a statement to the outlet, a Pentagon spokesperson said, “We do not comment on closed-door discussions or matters.

Regarding the cost of Operation Epic Fury, we won’t know the cost until the mission is complete.” The New York Times and The Washington Post previously reported that in earlier congressional briefings, defense officials said that the military had used $5.6...