Iran War Costing Taxpayers Over $38,000,000,000 While They Struggle To Afford Basic Needs

The first five months of the Iran war cost taxpayers over $38 billion while Americans continued suffering from the affordability crisis.

The $38.1 billion estimate reflected munitions and equipment, as well as an increased rate of military operations and higher fuel prices, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The conflict was expected to cost between $2 billion and $3 billion per month.

U.S. weapons stockpiles, including interceptors for air defenses, were depleted, according to the report.

The estimated cost to replace missiles and air defenses through Aug. 1 was $21.7 billion, including $13.1 billion for missile interceptors, $7.3 billion for cruise missiles and $1.2 billion for other munitions, according to CBO. Replacing weapons was the “largest single component of the costs incurred by [the Department of Defense] during the conflict.”

“As the conflict persists, DOD’s costs will continue to increase — slowly if the level of violence remains low and sporadic … and rapidly if the intensity of the conflict escalates,” the report stated.” Monthly costs could be higher still if the violence escalated further.”

Gas prices and other costs soared since the Iran war began in February. The average price of regular gas was $4.36 as of Wednesday.

The report said the conflict contributed to higher than expected inflation due to reduced shipments of oil and natural gas through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings on the economy remained low while affordability remained the top issue for voters ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump requested $67 billion in supplemental funding in June to help fund the war and rebuild munitions stockpiles. A $95 billion reconciliation package, which included that funding, passed the House in June but is unlikely to pass the Senate before the midterms.

The Pentagon’s inspector general estimated in a report that operations against Iran cost $33.4 billion in June, according to Politico.

A war powers resolution passed the House Tuesday, which called on Trump to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran. Seven Republicans voted with every Democrat to pass the measure.

Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie announced Tuesday he would force a vote on impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for allegedly “operating in contravention of three specific provisions of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.”