Experts caution that the true financial toll of the Iran war far exceeds official figures, with initial estimates suggesting the conflict cost $1 billion per day in its opening days. While the Pentagon reported $29 billion in direct military spending by May, Harvard’s Linda Bilmes argues that upfront costs could reach $200 billion when factoring in troop deployments, repairs, and munitions. Moody’s Analytics estimates the war has already cost U.S. taxpayers and consumers at least $132 billion, with expenses continuing to mount as the Department of Defense requested an additional $80 billion in emergency funding to sustain operations.
The war’s economic impact extends far beyond direct military spending, reshaping both American and global economies. Energy prices have surged dramatically, with Americans paying an extra $61.7 billion for gasoline and diesel since February, averaging $471.20 per household. The conflict has choked oil supply, cutting off two billion barrels from global markets, and while gas prices are slowly declining from their $4.56 peak, experts don’t expect them to fall below $3 until next year. The burden has been uneven, with states like Wyoming and Utah experiencing increases of over $1.30 per gallon compared to less than $0.80 in Florida and Texas.
Looking ahead, the war’s long-term consequences could be staggering. Bilmes predicts total costs could exceed $1 trillion when including replacement of depleted munitions—which cost two to three times more than original inventory—repairs to 228 damaged military installations across the Middle East, and aid to allies. The national debt has already crossed $39 trillion, and future generations will face higher borrowing costs, wage stagnation, and more expensive goods. The Institute for Economics and Peace estimates the war has reduced global GDP by 0.6%, with Federal Reserve economists predicting one million fewer American jobs within a year, while European industries could lose 1.3 million positions due to high energy costs.
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Forrás: https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/articles/pentagon-said-iran-war-costs-070000270.html.