Over $700m spent in first 24 hours of 'Epic Fury': How much Iran war may cost America? The numbers so far
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKMarch 3, 2026
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The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has raised significant concerns about the financial toll on America. In just the first 24 hours of "Operation Epic Fury," estimates suggest that the U.S. spent around $779 million. With President Trump hinting that the operation could last four to five weeks, or potentially longer, the long-term costs remain uncertain but are expected to rise rapidly. The deployment of military assets, including aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and missile systems, has already incurred substantial expenses, with initial build-up costs reported at $630 million by Aljazeera.
The rapid escalation of military operations has involved a range of specialized equipment. Fighter jets such as F-18s, F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s have formed the backbone of early strikes, with their deployment and operational costs estimated at $271.34 million based on Pentagon budget projections. Additionally, specialized aircraft like EA-18G Growlers, A-10C Thunderbolts, MQ-9 Reapers, and LUCAS drones have contributed to the escalating expenses.
Maintaining a significant U.S. naval presence in the region is also proving costly. The Center for New American Security estimates that operating a single carrier strike group, such as the USS Gerald R Ford, costs approximately $6.5 million per day. With multiple strike groups likely to remain deployed for weeks, these daily expenses could quickly add up to hundreds of millions of dollars. Air operations, missile defense interceptors, drone deployments, and intelligence assets further increase the financial burden.
Looking at historical precedents, the U.S. has faced massive costs in previous conflicts. The war in Afghanistan, lasting nearly 20 years, cost over $2.3 trillion when including broader expenses like veterans' care. Similarly, recent conflicts, such as the response to Hamas
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Originally published on Times of India on 3/3/2026