The armed conflict with Iran has already cost the U.S. approximately $38 billion in military expenses. This data is contained in a new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which analyzed the costs of the U.S. and Israel's operation against Iran that began on February 28. According to the agency's estimate, if hostilities continue, the monthly expenses of the Department of Defense could range from $2 billion to $3 billion depending on the intensity of the conflict. The largest portion of the costs has been attributed to replenishing weapon stocks. As of August 1, $21.7 billion had been allocated for the purchase of new munitions to replace those used, making it the largest item in military expenditures. In addition, the calculation includes expenses for replacing lost equipment, increased fuel costs, and other associated costs related to conducting the operation. The CBO also points out that it is not only a financial issue. According to the agency's assessment, one of the most serious consequences has been a noticeable reduction in missile interceptor stocks. By comparing the volumes of purchases and munitions expenditure, analysts concluded that since June 2025, the U.S. could have used between half and two-thirds of its stock of such missiles. This means that restoring them could take years. The report was prepared at the request of a group of Democratic congressmen led by Brendan Boyle, a member of the House Budget Committee. Notably, earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mentioned a similar expense estimate of $37.5 billion, so the CBO's conclusions generally aligned with the Pentagon's preliminary calculations. The authors of the study also point to the economic consequences of the conflict. In their opinion, disruptions in oil and natural gas supplies, which arose after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, have intensified inflationary pressure in the U.S. As a result, the CBO now forecasts that in the first quarter of next year, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index will be approximately 0.5 percentage points higher than expected before the conflict began. Thus, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the war with Iran is already impacting not only the U.S. defense budget but also the state of the American economy.
