CNN: US-Iran war could cost up to $50 billion

The cost of a war with Iran for the United States could be significantly higher than official estimates, with internal assessments putting the total at $40–50 billion, according to CNN.

While the Pentagon publicly estimated the cost of the conflict at around $25 billion on April 29, sources said that figure does not include extensive damage to US military facilities in the region or the cost of rebuilding them.

People familiar with the matter stressed that the higher estimate accounts for the reconstruction of bases and replacement of destroyed military assets following Iranian strikes on several Gulf states during the early stages of the war.

The report says damaged sites include US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

It also notes that key radar systems and other equipment were hit.

Pentagon officials told Congress that the $25 billion figure mainly reflects ammunition costs, while acknowledging that a full assessment of overseas damage has not yet been completed.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov