War with Iran cost the US $38 billion in first five months

A new study by the US Congress shows that President Donald Trump's decision to launch a military conflict against Iran cost American taxpayers approximately $38 billion in direct expenses during the first five months of fighting. The finding was reported Tuesday, September 15, by the Congressional Budget Office in a letter to Brendan Boyle, the leading Democrat on the House Budget Committee, according to Bloomberg, as cited by "European Pravda."

Breakdown of costs

The office explained that the sum covers replacement of expended munitions and equipment lost in combat, increased flight hours, other operations, and rising fuel expenses. The study also found that continuing the conflict into early next year would push US inflation up by roughly 0.5 percentage points.

Each additional month of conflict would cost at least $2–3 billion, and monthly costs could climb further if fighting escalates, the report states.

Munitions shortage

The report emphasized that the war has depleted munitions stockpiles that could take five years or more to replenish, reducing the armed forces' ability to respond to another major conflict. This echoes findings from a Pentagon inspector general study, which stated that the industrial base cannot keep pace with restocking the ammunition shortfall. Such a shortage would become especially problematic in a conflict against an adversary with a large arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, the report added.

Earlier, Trump claimed Iran was "very eager" to reach a deal as soon as possible, and said he does not regret the decision to go to war with Iran despite its potential impact on the Republican Party's electoral prospects.