US Iran War Costs Could Exceed $100 Billion in Estimated Toll

US and Israel Launch Joint Air Strikes in Iran, Operation Epic Fury Enters New Phase

A joint US-Israeli air strike operation targeting Iran entered a new phase on Saturday, marking an escalation of military hostilities between the two countries. The operation, named Operation Epic Fury, was confirmed by US President Donald Trump in an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social.

According to the Pentagon, more than 1,250 targets were struck in Iran since operations began on Saturday. The US military also reported that 11 Iranian ships were targeted and destroyed. The operation involved air strikes, sea-launched cruise missiles, and coordinated attacks on nuclear-related facilities, as well as senior figures linked to Iran’s defense establishment.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the first wave of US-Israeli strikes. As of Monday, 555 people had been killed across 130 locations in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

The total cost of the campaign is difficult to predict, with experts warning that inventory management may be a greater challenge than estimating costs. The US has provided Israel with $21.7 billion in military aid since October 7, 2023, and an additional $9.65 billion to $12.07 billion for US operations in support of Israel.

The operation has involved more than 20 weapons systems across air, sea, land, and missile defense forces. The Pentagon has not published the total cost of the operation, but experts speculate on the costs of individual weapons and operations.

Reports estimate that the US may have spent $779 million during the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury, with an additional $630 million for pre-strike military build-up. Operating a carrier strike group, such as the USS Gerald R Ford, is estimated to cost approximately $6.5 million per day.

Source: Al Jazeera