Officials from the administration of Donald Trump told senators in a private briefing that the first six days of the war against Iran have cost the United States at least $11.3 billion. They noted that this figure represents only the initial cost and not the total expense of the war. Some officials said that continuing the conflict could require an additional $50 billion. Trump has stated that “we have won,” but U.S. forces will continue military operations. The conflict has so far resulted in around 2,000 deaths, mostly in Iran and Lebanon. Iran’s retaliatory attacks on countries hosting U.S. forces have also driven up energy prices. The UNICEF reported that about 1,100 children have been killed or injured, describing the situation for millions of children in the Middle East as “catastrophic.” In Lebanon, around 800,000 people have been displaced due to continuous bombing by Israel. Officials also said that $5.6 billion worth of munitions were used in the first two days of the attacks. Members of the United States Congress and the United States Senate have raised concerns about declining U.S. military stockpiles, while the defense industry is reportedly facing equipment shortages. Democratic lawmakers have called for a formal explanation of the war plans and Washington’s strategy for Iran after the conflict ends. Trump has said the war may end “soon,” claiming that “there is almost nothing left to bomb,” though he has not presented evidence to support the statement.
