Outcry over cost of US-Iran war; Is the Pentagon hiding the real figures? Senator’s claim- Rosa

A big revelation has been made regarding the cost of the ongoing war between America and Iran. Pentagon officials told the Congress hearing that till now about 25 billion dollars have been spent on this war. However, experts and analysts have raised questions on this figure and termed it an underestimated expenditure.

Questions raised on the figure of $25 billion

According to a Bloomberg report, the figure of $25 billion given by the Pentagon may be much less than the actual cost. According to the agency’s analysis, the cost of weapons, damaged equipment and operational expenses alone amounts to about $14 billion.

partial statement of expenditure

According to the report, out of this $14 billion, about $8 billion has been spent on weapons (munitions), $5 billion has been spent on repair and replacement of damaged aircraft and equipment and about $1 billion has been spent on the operation of aircraft carriers and 16 destroyers. This war started on 28 February. Experts say that many important expenses are not included in this figure. This does not include the cost of repairs to American bases in West Asia, pre-war deployment costs, and the ongoing naval blockade. Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst said the figures presented included weapons used and operational costs, but did not provide full details.

Experts told ‘low ball figure’

Kelly Greco, senior fellow at the Stimson Center, said the $25 billion figure does not fully reflect the true cost of the war. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, $25 billion can be spent on weapons alone. Senator Richard Blumenthal had earlier claimed that the cost of the war could be up to $2 billion per day, which he also said was an underestimate.

Defense Minister’s first hearing

Defense Minister Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress for the first time since the war began on April 29. The defense budget of $1.5 trillion was discussed in the hearing that lasted for about 6 hours. During this, he debated with both Democrats and Republicans regarding the cost of the war and its impact on arms stockpiles. During the hearing, Hegseth avoided saying how long the war would last and how much the costs might increase. He also said that the investigation into the attack on a school in Minab, in which more than 150 children died, is ongoing. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will also face a hearing in Congress on Thursday. This debate regarding the cost and strategy of war is expected to continue for the time being.