How much has the US Iran war cost so far?

The US war on Iran (Operation Epic Fury) began on February 28, 2026. The pre-war buildup alone cost $630 million. CSIS estimated $3.7 billion in just the first 100 hours. The total climbs every second — visit PayForWar.com for the live count.

How much does the Iran war cost per day?

During sustained operations (day 3+), the US Iran war costs approximately $175 million per day in base operations plus $28.5 million in ongoing costs (tanker escorts, equipment wear, combat pay, fuel) — over $200 million daily, or about $2,350 per second. The initial strikes phase (days 0-3) cost even more at $335 million per day.

Who is paying for the US war on Iran?

The roughly 140 million American taxpayers are paying for the US war on Iran. The cost comes from the federal budget and adds to the national debt. Penn Wharton estimates the direct budgetary impact at $40 billion to $95 billion, with long-term economic impact reaching up to $210 billion.

What could the Iran war money be spent on instead?

The money spent on the US Iran war could fund solutions to homelessness, student debt relief, school construction, healthcare coverage for uninsured Americans, and critical infrastructure repairs. PayForWar.com tracks these trade-offs in real time — showing exactly which domestic programs this money could fund.

What has been the most expensive part of the Iran war?

Interceptor missiles have been among the costliest components at roughly $3 billion — including 125 THAAD interceptors at $15 million each, 175 Patriot PAC-3 MSE at $4 million each, and 80 SM-6 missiles at $5.3 million each. Iran also destroyed a $1.1 billion AN/FPS-132 early-warning radar in Qatar and a $500 million THAAD AN/TPY-2 radar in the UAE.

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Daily ReportDay 4Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Day 4: B-52s and B-1 Bombers Join the Assault — Minab School Massacre Kills 180

180Killed at Minab school

35Killed in Fars province

570+Cumulative civilians dead

Day 4 of Operation Epic Fury will be remembered for two things: the deployment of America's most iconic heavy bombers, and the massacre of 180 people at a school in Minab.

The Minab School Massacre

Minab, Hormozgan Province

A US strike hit a school where displaced families had sought shelter. 180 people were killed. The Pentagon described it as "a facility used for military purposes." The Iranian Red Crescent described it as a school full of families.

In Fars province the same day, 35 more civilians were killed. In Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdistan province, 2 more. The cumulative Iranian civilian death toll climbed past 570 in just four days.

Strategic Bombers Deployed

The US brought its Cold War-era strategic bombers into the fight:

B-1B Lancer bombers were deployed for deep strikes inside Iran, hitting targets that tactical fighters could not reach. Cost per flight hour: $63,000.
B-52H Stratofortress bombers made their combat debut in this war, striking ballistic missile sites and command-and-control posts. These aircraft — some older than 60 years — cost $85,000 per flight hour. Total cost of B-52 strikes on Day 4: $14 million.
An Iranian Kilo-class submarine was struck while pier-side at Bandar Abbas naval base: $8 million in munitions.

Iran Strikes the Heart of Saudi Arabia

At 04:56 local time, Iranian drones struck the US Embassy and CIA station in Riyadh, causing a partial roof collapse. Estimated damage: $15 million. This was a powerful symbolic strike — the US Embassy in a country over 1,000 kilometers from Iran, hit by drones that evaded multiple layers of air defense.

The Strait of Hormuz: A New Front

Starting on Day 4, the US began tanker escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz, adding $10 million per day to the ongoing cost. The strait, through which roughly 20% of the world's oil passes, became effectively a war zone.

This additional cost — $10 million per day just to keep oil flowing — will continue for as long as this conflict lasts, and likely for months or years afterward. It is a cost the US chose to impose on itself by starting this war.

Day 4 Cost Summary

B-1B and B-52 strike operations: $21+ million
Submarine strike on Kilo-class sub: $8 million
Ongoing daily operations: ~$175 million
New daily cost — Hormuz escort: $10 million/day
Iranian civilians killed (Day 4): 217+
Cumulative civilian toll: 570+ killed

180 people in a school. That is what this war of choice has produced.

See the cost updating in real time

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