US Spent $5.6 Billion On Weapons In First 48 Hours Of Iran Strikes, Report
Report says massive weapons use in early Iran strikes raises concerns over US military readiness and war costs.
The United States reportedly used weapons worth approximately $5.6 billion (about ₹51,400 crore) during the first 48 hours of its military strikes on Iran, highlighting the immense financial and logistical cost of the conflict’s opening phase. According to a report by The Washington Post, the estimate covers only the cost of munitions fired in the initial stage and does not include broader expenses such as the deployment of troops, aircraft, and naval assets across the region.
The early spending estimate has raised concerns among members of the US Congress about the strain the war could place on American military readiness. Lawmakers are increasingly questioning how long the Pentagon can sustain a high-intensity campaign if the conflict continues to escalate. Officials acknowledge that hundreds of costly weapons have already been used since hostilities began on February 28, including advanced air-defence interceptors and long-range cruise missiles.
The administration of President Donald Trump has dismissed fears that the operation is depleting the country’s arsenal of advanced weaponry. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Defense Department retains the capability to execute missions “at the time and place of the President’s choosing.” Meanwhile, United States Central Command reported that more than 5,000 targets inside Iran have been struck using over 2,000 munitions since the campaign began.
Also Read: China Condemns Threats Against Iran’s New Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
Despite the scale of the strikes, uncertainty remains about the duration and outcome of the conflict. The United States reportedly hoped that the February 28 operation—including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei—would trigger the collapse of the Iranian regime. Instead, Tehran appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as successor and pledged retaliation. Iran has also retained the capability to target US bases and allied cities across the Middle East and has blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Facing the high cost of precision strikes, US military planners are reportedly adjusting their strategy. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the campaign will gradually shift away from expensive precision munitions toward more widely available laser-guided bombs. Analysts such as Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies note that this transition could reduce the cost per strike from millions of dollars to less than $100,000 in some cases.
At the same time, the Pentagon has begun redirecting military resources from other regions, including the Indo-Pacific, to reinforce its operations in the Middle East. The report said elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system are being moved from South Korea, while additional Patriot missile system interceptors are being reassigned to counter potential Iranian retaliation. US officials say the repositioning is largely precautionary, aimed at strengthening regional defences should Tehran intensify its attacks.
Also Read: Thousands Pledge Allegiance to Iran’s New Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran
