US military spending on the war with Iran reached an estimated $43.6 billion as of this month, according to figures US Central Command provided to Congress, the Associated Press reported.
The latest assessment exceeds the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)’s earlier estimate of $38 billion through August 1.
It covers ship and aircraft deployments, operations at regional bases, equipment losses, and medical support for US personnel.
Munitions account for the largest share, with CENTCOM placing weapons spending at $28.1 billion, compared with $21.7 billion in the CBO’s previous assessment.
The CBO expects the war to cost roughly another $3 billion per month, depending on the pace of operations.
Much of the demand has involved expensive air defense interceptors fired by Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems against Iranian missiles and drones.
Their extensive use has also raised concerns about dwindling stockpiles, with US and NATO officials describing Europe’s interceptor shortage as “beyond critical,” according to the Associated Press.
The strain is also affecting inventories of high-value aircraft and service budgets.
In August, reports emerged that the US military had lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, equivalent to roughly one-quarter of its pre-war fleet.
The aircraft were worth more than $1.3 billion in total, with each system costing between $30 million and $50 million depending on its configuration.
Financial pressure has extended to the US Navy, which has reportedly redirected money from payroll and other accounts to cover combat operations.
Funding constraints have also delayed some non-emergency maintenance at shore facilities and could affect routine activities.
The Cost of War
The growing financial toll comes as US President Donald Trump seeks congressional approval for a $1.5 trillion defense budget and a separate $95 billion package covering the Iran war and other military priorities.
Meanwhile, the conflict has carried a mounting human cost.
Iran’s UN ambassador said in March that US and Israeli attacks had killed at least 1,332 Iranian civilians.
Amnesty International recently said there are reasonable grounds to believe that US and Israeli strikes in Iran amounted to war crimes.
Attacks killed civilians, including children, after wide-area explosive weapons struck security facilities surrounded by homes, businesses, and other civilian buildings.
The Pentagon has also publicly reported 18 US service members killed and more than 830 wounded.
