U.S. Spends Over $11 Billion in First Six Days of War With Iran

The first six days of the military operation against Iran have cost the United States at least $11.3 billion, according to The New York Times.

Officials from the Trump administration presented the estimate during a closed briefing for senators.

Meanwhile, the estimate did not include expenses such as the buildup of military personnel and equipment prior to the first strikes.

For this reason, U.S. lawmakers expect the figure to rise significantly as the Pentagon continues to calculate the costs. However, the stated amount is likely the most comprehensive estimate available so far.

Previously, Department of Defense officials told lawmakers that during the first two days of the war, the United States used munitions worth about $5.6 billion.

According to the media, the first wave of bombing included the use of AGM-154 JSOW aerial bombs, each costing between $578,000 and $836,000.

The list also included modified Tomahawk cruise missiles and modern interceptor missiles for air defense systems protecting U.S. bases in the Middle East.

Since then, the U.S. military has said it will switch to using much cheaper weapons.

According to the U.S. Central Command, American forces have struck more than 5,500 targets in Iran since the beginning of the war. In particular, they have disabled or sunk more than 60 Iranian ships and vessels.

In the first hours of the U.S.–Israeli military operation, an airstrike on Tehran killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for 37 years.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 50,000 American service members are participating in Operation Epic Fury.