CENTCOM estimates Iran war costs at $47.1 billion

U.S. Central Command estimates the Iran war has cost the U.S. military $47.1 billion through October 16, with weapons replacement accounting for the largest share of the bill. The estimate, submitted to Congress, is up $3.5 billion from the $43.6 billion figure reported through early September. It covers costs from the conflict that began in late February and does not project future spending. CENTCOM assigns about $29 billion to replacing expended munitions, $6.1 billion to lost or damaged equipment and $11.9 billion to operating costs. Those categories cover most of the reported total, which reflects additional military expenses tied to the campaign rather than a comprehensive accounting of every economic consequence of the war. The Pentagon said it was still assessing damage to U.S. military bases in the region, and those repair costs are not included in CENTCOM’s estimate. One report cited congressional officials who said at least $1.5 billion in fuel and related costs was also omitted, but that amount was not independently established in the other reporting. The weapons and equipment replacement costs were described in one account as unfunded. A Pentagon inspector general...