US war on Iran may cost $900 million a day, research suggests; spending hits $3.7 billion in first 100 hours

Visuals of attack during Iran-Israel-US war

• US spends nearly $900 million daily on Iran military campaign
• Most costs remain unbudgeted, may require extra Pentagon funding
• Higher costs may spark public opposition and political issues.

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The United States is estimated to be spending nearly $900 million each day on its military campaign against Iran, pushing the total cost to about $3.7 billion within the first 100 hours of the conflict, according to new research.

The analysis, conducted by the Washington-based think tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), attributes most of the expenditure to the heavy use of munitions. The findings were reported by Al Jazeera.

The conflict entered its seventh day on Friday, with US forces continuing to strike Iranian targets using advanced weapons and stealth bombers, rapidly driving up operational costs.

Researchers Mark Cancian and Chris Park of CSIS said that only a small portion of the overall expenditure has been accounted for in existing budgets. Their analysis estimates that about $891.4 million per day had already been budgeted, while the majority of the costs, roughly $3.5 billion, remain unbudgeted.

According to the researchers, the shortfall could eventually require the Pentagon to seek additional funding.

“This will likely be a political challenge for the Trump administration,” the researchers said, “This will provide a focal point for the opposition to the war.”

The report also warned that the rising financial burden of the conflict could affect public sentiment in the United States, where citizens are already grappling with higher living costs and inflation. The situation may be further complicated by increases in gas and fuel prices linked to the war.

“It will also divide Trump's America First' base, which he promised in his presidential campaigns to not enter 'foreign wars',” the researchers said. They noted that their analysis relied on data from the Congressional Budget Office because the US Department of Defence has released limited details about the ongoing operations.

At the same time, United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that military operations could intensify. He said the bombardment of Iran was “about to surge dramatically” and would involve “more fighter squadrons…more defensive capabilities” and “more bomber pulses more frequently”.

The report said such an escalation would eventually require further funding. “Because the level of budget cuts needed to fund this conflict internally would likely be politically and operationally difficult.”

“The political challenge for the administration will be that any funding action will become a focal point for opposition to the war,” it said.