US spends over $51 bln on military operation against Iran — website

Lead

The cost of the US military operation against Iran has surpassed $51.2 billion in 46 days of fighting, according to the Iran War Cost Tracker website, which cites a Pentagon briefing from March that reported $11.3 billion spent in the first week and an estimated $1 billion per day thereafter. The figures—reported by TASS—come as the conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian cities, continues to reverberate across the region's economies and diplomatic efforts.

Coverage Comparison

The reports, all from Russia's state-owned TASS news agency, frame the narrative around financial and strategic losses rather than military objectives. One TASS report from April 6 cited the Iran War Cost Tracker to put the early cost at $42.1 billion in 37 days, while a second report from April 15 updated the figure to over $51.2 billion after 46 days. This discrepancy reflects the evolving nature of the conflict and the tracker's real-time calculations based on the Pentagon's Congressional briefing. The reports also highlight economic fallout beyond direct military spending, with TASS quoting The Wall Street Journal (as cited through its own reporting) on Saudi Arabia facing losses exceeding $10 billion due to shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz and missile strikes. A separate TASS piece quotes former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who claims the conflict is costing Americans roughly $2 billion per day. Additionally, an interview with Chinese economist He Weiwen, published via TASS, argues that the US achieved no tangible gains and suffered 'significant' economic damage, including vulnerability to oil price spikes.

Key Claims

US military spending: The Iran War Cost Tracker, as reported by TASS, states the US has spent over $51.2 billion in 46 days of operations. The tracker's methodology relies on a Pentagon briefing to Congress on March 10, which reported $11.3 billion in the first week and an estimated $1 billion per additional day. A second TASS report from early April cited the same tracker as showing $42.1 billion in 37 days. These figures are based on the Pentagon's estimates, not independent audits.

The US and Israel launched their military operation on February 28, targeting major Iranian cities including Tehran. The White House justified the attack citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has conducted retaliatory strikes against Israeli and US military facilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, according to multiple TASS reports.

Economic impact: TASS reported, citing The Wall Street Journal, that Saudi Arabia's economy has suffered losses exceeding $10 billion due to the conflict. These losses stem from restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which affected oil exports, and from partial damage from Iranian retaliatory strikes. The article also noted that Saudi authorities are reconsidering infrastructure projects, including skyscraper construction, and may accelerate increases to the defense budget.

A separate TASS report quoted former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene as stating on X (formerly Twitter) that 'our government is spending roughly $2 billion a day on a war in Iran.' She connected the spending to rising gasoline prices and the financial strain on American families. Her comments were made on April 16, the date she noted Americans typically pay taxes.

Lack of gains and expert analysis: In an interview with Chinese media outlet Yicai, economist He Weiwen of the China Association of International Trade argued that the US 'achieved nothing' from the military operation, describing it as 'completely pointless' and a violation of international law. He said Washington failed to achieve its goal of changing the government in Tehran, while facing 'enormous' military expenditures and 'significant losses in weapons stockpiles.' He also warned that rising oil prices could harm the US economy, citing Goldman Sachs estimates that sustained $100-per-barrel oil could push US consumer price index growth to 3.9%, a level he said would be politically unsustainable.

Perspectives

Official US framing: The Pentagon's briefing to Congress, which is the basis for the cost tracker, confirms the first-week spending and daily estimates, but the reports do not provide US government commentary on the tracker's methodology or the strategic achievements of the operation. The rationale cited by the White House is the alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran.

Iranian perspective: Iran's IRGC has responded militarily against US and allied targets, and Tehran has moved to close the Strait of Hormuz to ships associated with the US, Israel, and countries that backed the aggression. According to Iran's Emergency Medical Services, 3,375 people were killed in US-Israeli strikes over 40 days, as quoted in a TASS report—a figure not independently verified.

Critics and experts: Marjorie Taylor Greene and He Weiwen both highlight economic costs and question the operation's effectiveness. Greene focuses on the burden to American taxpayers and households, while He Weiwen emphasizes geopolitical failure and economic vulnerabilities. Both views are critical of the operation's outcomes.

Temporal Context

On April 7, Washington announced a 'double-sided' two-week ceasefire with Iran, according to TASS. However, as of April 11, talks in Islamabad between the parties led to no long-term agreement, and the ceasefire remains fragile, per expert comments. The conflict's financial toll continues to rise, with the tracker updating its figures daily. It remains unclear whether the ceasefire will hold and whether spending will taper off or continue if hostilities resume.