Report: US pours $11bn into Iran war in first six days 

The opening week of the war with Iran has already cost the United States over $11 billion, according to a Pentagon briefing that reveals the staggering pace at which the conflict is consuming American resources.

Sources familiar with the closed-door briefing on Tuesday told The New York Times that lawmakers were informed the $11.3 billion figure does not include costs associated with the pre-strike military buildup, suggesting the true expenditure could rise sharply.

Defence officials reported that approximately $5.6 billion worth of munitions were used in just the first two days of fighting — far exceeding previous public estimates of early war spending.

Independent analysts have echoed concerns over the financial strain of the conflict. The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury cost around $3.7 billion, averaging $891 million per day, with $3.5 billion of that unbudgeted.

Meanwhile, the online Iran War Cost Tracker showed US expenditures had exceeded $17 billion as of Thursday morning, reporting an average daily burn rate of $1 billion. Analysts caution that the figures do not account for long-term costs such as veterans’ care, equipment replacement, and other post-conflict obligations.

The rapid financial outlay underscores the heavy toll the conflict is placing on US resources and highlights the potential long-term economic consequences if hostilities persist.