Cost to US for war on Iran is $3.7bn in first 100 hours, says think tank
The United States-Israeli war on Iran is estimated to have cost Washington $3.7bn so far in its first 100 hours alone, or nearly $900m a day, driven largely by the huge expenditure of munitions, according to new research.
An analysis by Washington-based think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) underlined the colossal cost of the war, which entered its seventh day on Friday, as the US attacks Iran with stealth bombers and advanced weapons systems.
Researchers Mark Cancian and Chris Park said only a small amount of the estimated $3.7bn cost of the war in the first 100 hours – or $891.4m each day – was already budgeted for, while most of the costs – $3.5bn – were not.
The human cost
More than 1,332 people have been killed so far in Iran since the US and Israeli bombardment began on Saturday, according to the Iranian Red Crescent, with UNICEF saying at least 181 children are believed to be among the dead.
In Lebanon, the death toll from Israeli attacks this week has risen to at least 123 people, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said, as a new wave of strikes pounded the country, in one of the fiercest fronts in the wider war.
At least six US servicemen have died in the conflict, while 11 people in Israel have also died. There have also been nine deaths so far in Gulf Arab countries.
CNN updates
Strikes in Iran: Explosions lit up the sky in Tehran after Israel said it had begun a “broad-scale wave of strikes” there. CNN saw thick black smoke in the capital, while state media reported that a busy shopping street was hit. Tehran residents tell CNN they experienced the “worst night” of airstrikes since the war began.
• Panic in Beirut: Fresh strikes also hit Beirut, hours after Israel said it targeted Hezbollah sites overnight in the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs.
• Strait of Hormuz chokepoint: As the war disrupts global energy supplies, President Donald Trump said soaring gas prices in the US do not bother him. Meanwhile, two of the largest shipping companies are no longer accepting cargo bound for the Persian Gulf.
• Iran’s new leader: The three-man council running the country is preparing to introduce a new supreme leader. While Trump insists he wants a say in the matter, analysts say it’s not that simple.
Two of the largest shippers are no longer accepting cargo bound for the Persian Gulf (Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd)
Oil prices have now increased by 50% so far this year
Qatar energy minister tells FT oil prices could hit $150 a barrel within weeks ($89 currently)
Oil storage tanks in Gulf region fill up, threatening output cuts, crude exports all but halted
Gas prices are at their highest point of either Trump term
Iran considers firms that buy US government debt as "legitimate targets,” official tells CNN
Kremlin says Iran war has boosted demand for Russian energy (throwing Ukraine under the bus)
CIA wants to arm Kurds to spark an uprising in Iran
More than 3,000 homes damaged, Iranian Red Crescent says
