April 25, 2026 | 06:22 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The cost of the United States military operation against Iran has reached an estimated US$61 billion (around Rp1,000 trillion), according to the real-time “Iran War Cost Tracker” cited by Sputnik and reported by Antara on Friday, April 24, 2026.
The tracker compiles ongoing estimates of spending on deployed personnel, naval assets, and other operational expenses. Its calculations are based in part on Pentagon reports to the US Congress, which indicated that the first six days of the operation alone cost US$11.3 billion (approximately Rp194 trillion). Including broader expenditures, daily costs are estimated at around US$1 billion.
Heavy Use of High-Cost Munitions
Since the conflict began in late February 2026, the US military has used large quantities of advanced weaponry. Reports indicate that around 1,100 stealth cruise missiles have been deployed—many originally intended for potential conflict scenarios with China—bringing inventories close to depletion.
More than 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been launched, roughly 10 times the US annual procurement level. The Pentagon has also used over 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles, each costing more than US$4 million.
In addition, more than 1,000 land-based missile systems, including Precision Strike and ATACMS missiles, have reportedly been used, significantly reducing stockpiles.
The scale of munitions use has led the Pentagon to redirect weapons from commands in Asia and Europe to the Middle East, raising concerns about reduced readiness in other regions, particularly in relation to potential threats from Russia and China.
Rising Costs and Supply Concerns
Officials from the administration of Donald Trump and members of Congress have acknowledged the need to boost production to replenish depleted inventories.
The conflict has also highlighted the Pentagon’s reliance on expensive precision weapons, especially air defense interceptors. Defense officials are increasingly concerned about whether the industry can produce more cost-effective systems, including attack drones, at a faster pace.
The US Department of Defense has not released a full breakdown of ammunition usage during the 38 days of fighting before a ceasefire took effect two weeks ago. While the Pentagon said it struck more than 13,000 targets, officials noted that this figure likely understates the number of munitions used, as many targets were hit multiple times.
White House officials have declined to provide an official total cost of the war. However, independent estimates place total spending between US$28 billion and US$35 billion, or close to US$1 billion per day. In the first two days alone, lawmakers were told that US$5.6 billion worth of munitions had been used.
Escalation and Ceasefire Developments
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on targets in Iran, causing infrastructure damage and casualties, including among senior figures such as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In the aftermath, Tehran maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz, while the US imposed a naval blockade on April 13, affecting global energy supplies, particularly in Asia.
On April 7, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. Follow-up negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without agreement, though no formal resumption of hostilities has been declared. The US has continued its blockade of Iranian ports.
On April 21, Trump said the ceasefire would be extended while the blockade remained in place. He added the following day that potential peace talks with Iran could take place within 36 to 72 hours.
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