Estimates Put US Operations in Iran at About $1 Billion Per Day
Mar 5th 2026
Reporting and think tank analysis place the early cost of US strikes in Iran at about $1 billion per day and more than $5 billion overall, sparking criticism over domestic tradeoffs and a failed congressional effort to limit the campaign.
- The Atlantic reported a preliminary Pentagon estimate of roughly $1 billion per day, citing a congressional official.
- A Center for American Progress analysis estimates initial costs of Operation Epic Fury exceeded $5 billion as of March 2, including aircraft, missiles, repositioning and equipment losses.
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine described deploying more than 100 aircraft, using Tomahawk missiles, and striking over 1,000 targets in the first day of operations.
- Analysts and advocacy groups say the military spending comes as domestic programs face cuts and strain, and note that those billions could fund Medicaid or SNAP for millions, per CAP comparisons.
- Senate lawmakers voted down a War Powers Resolution to compel cessation of operations against Iran, with Sen. Susan Collins joining most Republican senators in that vote.
- Observers point out that polls and commentators show public opposition to further large scale military escalation in the region, a factor cited by critics of the spending.