- Views: 12
- Replies: 1
In just the first 6 days of the Iran War, the U.S. military campaign has cost $11.3 billion to the American Taxpayers, with a sustained average daily burn rate of around $1 billion now, as communicated by the Pentagon to the U.S. Congress & as reported by multiple media outlets.
Cost Breakdown Details:
1. Munitions Expenditure: Approximately $5.6 billion was spent on munitions during the first 48 hours of the conflict alone.
2. Daily Burn Rate: The average daily cost during the early days & the opening phase was roughly $1.88 billion which is now pegged at around $1 billion.
3. High-Value Weapons: Significant expenses were driven by the use of:
Precision Glide Bombs: AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) costing between $282,000 and $836,000 per unit.
4. Interceptor Missiles: Patriot and THAAD interceptors used to counter Iranian retaliatory strikes cost millions of dollars each, especially the Patriot interceptors, costing $3-$4 million each, which will take years to replenish.
5. Excluded Costs: The $11.3 billion figure does not include the massive multi-month troop & naval buildup in the Middle East carried out prior to the onset of Op Epic Fury on February 28.
Strategic Economic & Fiscal Impact:
1. Supplemental Funding: The Trump administration indicated it may request up to $50 billion in additional emergency funding from Congress to sustain the conflict.
2. Global Oil Markets: Conflict near the Strait of Hormuz & its closure by Iran has caused Brent Crude prices to surge from roughly $70 to over $110 per barrel within days.
3. Aviation Losses: Airspace closures across Gulf states, like the UAE and Qatar, led to the cancellation of thousands of flights globally besides loss of significant tourism revenue losses.
4. Windfall for Russia and American Oil & Gas Producers: The latest surge in global crude oil prices translates into a windfall for the American oil & gas industry who stand to gain besides Putin, who stands to gain almost $10-$12 Billion from the situation just through the end of March, thereby, effectively & seriously undermining the war effort in Ukraine.
However, the real question it raises is, Is all that cost justified for what it achieves and what it leaves behind?
And since a complete regime change seems highly unlikely now & the only tactical success likely to be achieved from the military op is just severe degradation of Iran's missile, nuclear & naval capabilities going forward; then, is doing that at this exorbitant cost justified in tackling what could at best be described as a regional threat which should have been an Israeli priority as well as imperative?
Further, is it worth it given that it leaves an even more dangerous & radical leader in power in Iran with vengeance against America likely to be on the very top of his personal & political agenda besides alienated Gulf allies...?
