Iran War by the Numbers — Final Accounting
Updated July 10, 2026 — Every key statistic from 108 days of conflict, from munitions expended to oil price spikes. The data tells the story.
At a Glance
108 days
Duration
$42B+
Direct Cost
$87.6B
Supplemental
$389M
Cost/Day
15
US KIA
538+
US Wounded
3,461+
Iranians Killed
3,756+
Lebanese Killed
42
Aircraft Lost
24
Reapers Destroyed
$126/bbl
Oil Peak
3
CSGs Deployed
Day-by-Day Cost Breakdown
Costs were heavily front-loaded, with the six-day opening bombing campaign consuming over a quarter of total direct costs. Here is the phased breakdown:
| Phase | Dates | Days | Cost | $/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Strikes | Feb 26 – Mar 3 | 6 | $11.3B | $1.88B |
| Sustained Air Campaign | Mar 4 – Mar 31 | 28 | $10.8B | $386M |
| Blockade & Attrition | Apr 1 – Apr 30 | 30 | $9.4B | $313M |
| Pressure & Negotiation | May 1 – May 31 | 31 | $7.2B | $232M |
| Wind-Down & Ceasefire | Jun 1 – Jun 14 | 14 | $3.3B | $236M |
| Total | Feb 26 – Jun 14 | 108 | $42.0B+ | $389M |
Weapons Expended
The Iran War consumed vast quantities of precision munitions, drawing down US strategic stockpiles to levels the Pentagon described as “operationally concerning.”
| Weapon System | Qty Fired | Unit Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomahawk (TLAM) Cruise Missiles | 1,024 | $2.0M | $2.05B |
| JASSM-ER Standoff Missiles | 412 | $1.36M | $560M |
| JDAM GPS-Guided Bombs | 6,800+ | $25K | $170M |
| Small Diameter Bombs (SDB I/II) | 4,200+ | $40K–$250K | $380M |
| AGM-88 HARM Anti-Radar Missiles | 340 | $870K | $296M |
| SM-6 / SM-3 Interceptors | 187 | $4.3M–$12M | $1.2B |
| GBU-28 Bunker Busters | 86 | $145K | $12.5M |
| GBU-57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) | 20 | $3.5M | $70M |
| Hellfire / JAGM Missiles | 1,850+ | $150K | $278M |
| Other Munitions & Expendables | — | — | $6.3B+ |
| Total Munitions Cost | — | — | $11.3B |
Aircraft Losses & Damage
Iran's integrated air defense network — bolstered by Russian-supplied S-300 systems and indigenous Bavar-373 systems — inflicted the heaviest US aircraft losses since Vietnam. A total of 42 aircraft were lost or damaged beyond immediate field repair.
| Aircraft Type | Lost | Damaged | Unit Cost | Replacement Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MQ-9 Reaper (drone) | 24 | 0 | $32M | $768M |
| F-16C/D Fighting Falcon | 4 | 2 | $63M | $252M |
| F/A-18E/F Super Hornet | 2 | 2 | $67M | $134M |
| F-15E Strike Eagle | 2 | 1 | $88M | $176M |
| F-35A Lightning II | 1 | 1 | $80M | $80M |
| MQ-4C Triton / RQ-4 Global Hawk | 2 | 0 | $131M | $262M |
| Other (helos, ISR, tankers) | 1 | 0 | varies | ~$45M |
| Total | 36 | 6 | — | ~$1.72B |
Note: Replacement costs reflect flyaway unit costs and do not include associated systems, sensors, or training pipeline impacts. Full aircraft reconstitution is estimated at $8.7B in the Pentagon supplemental.
Carrier Strike Groups Deployed
| CSG | Carrier | AOR | Ships | Aircraft | Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSG-2 | USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) | Arabian Sea | 9 | 75+ | 7,500 |
| CSG-10 | USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) | Persian Gulf | 8 | 72+ | 7,200 |
| CSG-5 | USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) | Gulf of Oman | 7 | 70+ | 6,800 |
Combined, the three CSGs put over 21,500 sailors and Marines at sea with 217+ aircraft and 24 escort warships. Daily operating cost for all three groups: approximately $19.5 million in fuel, food, and maintenance alone — before a single weapon was fired.
Personnel Deployed
| Component | Estimated Personnel |
|---|---|
| Navy (afloat) | 28,000 |
| Air Force (regional bases) | 18,500 |
| Army (force protection, AD, logistics) | 12,000 |
| Marines | 6,500 |
| Special Operations | 2,200 |
| Intelligence / Cyber | 3,800 |
| Total Deployed (peak) | ~71,000 |
Casualty Figures by Category
| Category | Killed | Wounded | Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Military | 15 | 538+ | 0 |
| Iranian Military (IRGC + Artesh) | 1,760+ | 4,200+ (est.) | Unknown |
| Iranian Civilians | 1,701 | 5,900+ (est.) | Unknown |
| — Children | 254 | 800+ (est.) | — |
| Lebanese (all categories) | 3,756+ | 8,400+ (est.) | Unknown |
Oil Price Timeline (Brent Crude)
| Date | Brent ($/bbl) | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 25 | $70.40 | Pre-war baseline |
| Feb 27 | $89.20 | Day after strikes begin |
| Mar 5 | $97.80 | Iran mines Hormuz |
| Mar 14 | $108.50 | Blockade announced |
| Apr 2 | $118.30 | Tanker attacks reported |
| Apr 17 | $126.40 | Peak price |
| May 10 | $112.70 | SPR release + OPEC increase |
| Jun 14 | $94.50 | Peace deal signed |
| Jul 1 | $82.10 | Partial normalization |
The 80% price spike from $70 to $126/bbl was the sharpest oil shock since the 1990 Gulf War. For detailed economic analysis, see Hormuz Crisis & Global Economy.
Comparison: Iran vs. Iraq vs. Afghanistan
| Metric | Iran 2026 | Iraq 2003–11 | Afghanistan 2001–21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 108 days | 3,100+ days | 7,300+ days |
| Total Cost | $42B+ | $1.1T | $2.3T |
| Cost per Day | $389M | $355M | $315M |
| Peak Troops | 71,000 | 170,000 | 100,000 |
| US KIA | 15 | 4,431 | 2,461 |
| US Wounded | 538+ | 31,994 | 20,752 |
| Ground Invasion | No | Yes | Yes |
| AUMF Passed | No | Yes | Yes |
Congressional Authorization Status
The Iran War was conducted without a specific Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). The administration cited the 2001 AUMF (targeting al-Qaeda and associated forces) and Article II constitutional authority as the legal basis for operations.
- War Powers notification: Submitted to Congress February 27, 2026 — 48 hours after strikes began
- 60-day clock: Expired April 27, 2026 without congressional action
- Iran AUMF (S.3847): Introduced May 2, 2026; never brought to floor vote
- War Powers Resolution challenge: Filed by 38 senators; ruled non-justiciable by courts
- $87.6B supplemental: Submitted May 19; still under committee review
$87.6 Billion Supplemental Breakdown
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| War cost reimbursement | $42.0B |
| Munitions replenishment | $18.4B |
| Aircraft replacement | $8.7B |
| Naval vessel repairs & drones | $6.2B |
| Sustained force posture (CENTCOM) | $5.8B |
| Medical care & veteran support | $3.9B |
| Intel & cyber reconstitution | $2.6B |
| Total Supplemental Request | $87.6B |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Tomahawk missiles were fired in the Iran War?
Over 1,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched during the Iran War, primarily during the opening six-day bombing campaign. At approximately $2 million per missile, Tomahawks alone accounted for over $2 billion in costs.
How many US aircraft were lost in the Iran War?
42 US aircraft were lost or damaged during the conflict, including 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed by Iranian air defenses, 6 F-16s, 4 F/A-18s, 3 F-15Es, 2 F-35s, and 3 other aircraft. Total replacement cost is estimated at $8.7 billion.
How many carrier strike groups were deployed?
Three carrier strike groups (CSGs) were deployed: the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) groups, representing the largest US naval concentration in the Persian Gulf since 2003.
What was the daily cost of the Iran War?
The Iran War cost approximately $389 million per day on average over its 108-day duration, making it the most expensive per-day US military operation in history.
Did Congress authorize the Iran War?
The administration conducted operations under the 2001 AUMF and Article II executive authority. A specific Iran AUMF was introduced but never voted on. The War Powers Resolution 60-day clock expired without congressional action, creating a constitutional gray area.
How does the Iran War compare to Iraq and Afghanistan in cost?
The Iran War's $42B+ over 108 days was far more intense per-day ($389M) than Iraq ($355M/day over 8.5 years, $1.1T total) or Afghanistan ($315M/day over 20 years, $2.3T total). However, total cumulative spending was much lower due to the shorter duration.