How much could the Iran war cost the US? Here’s what we know
Al Jazeera
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. has escalated its confrontation with Iran by launching Operation Epic Fury, a major military campaign aimed at degrading Iran's nuclear capabilities and missile infrastructure. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation in an eight-minute video on Truth Social, stating it would continue as long as necessary, potentially extending for several weeks. The U.S. has already spent billions supporting operations in the Middle East, with $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 2023 and additional costs for U.S. operations in Yemen, Iran, and surrounding regions.
The operation has involved extensive use of advanced weapons systems, including air strikes by B-1, B-2, F-35, and F-16 jets, as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles and HIMARS rocket artillery. Over 1,000 targets in Iran have been struck, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed when his compound was hit during the initial strikes. The U.S. and Israel aim to blunt Iran's offensive capabilities and prevent further
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 3/3/2026