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Less than two weeks into the U.S. war on Iran, Washington has already used what could amount to “years” worth of key munitions, raising concerns about the financial cost of the conflict and the pressure on American weapons stockpiles, according to media reports.
Citing three people familiar with the matter, The Financial Times reported Thursday that the rapid expenditure includes large numbers of Tomahawk cruise missiles.
One source described the situation as a “massive expenditure of Tomahawks,” adding that “the navy will be feeling this expenditure for several years.”
The conflict, which began Feb. 28, has already cost more than $11 billion in its first six days, according to Pentagon officials briefing lawmakers in Washington. Most of the spending has gone toward costly air defense and strike munitions.
Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, which has so far killed more than 1,300 people, including Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, more than 150 schoolgirls and senior military officials, according to Iranian authorities.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israeli cities and locations hosting U.S. military assets across the region.
Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a decorated former officer who fought in the 1990-1991 Gulf War, said the financial imbalance of the conflict is significant.
“The rounds we’re firing, Patriot rounds, Thaad rounds … these weapon systems, each round is millions of dollars,” Kelly told MS NOW, noting that Iran is deploying relatively inexpensive drones. “The math on this doesn’t work.”
The Pentagon is preparing to request up to $50 billion in additional military funding from Congress, potentially setting up a contentious debate as lawmakers question the administration’s strategy and the long-term impact on U.S. defense readiness.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski warned the White House not to assume automatic congressional approval.
“You’ve got to be able to provide us with information, as requested, justification,” she said. “Don’t just take for granted that the Congress’s role is basically just to write the check.”
Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell urged lawmakers to approve the funding despite disagreements over the war, arguing the request provides an “overdue opportunity to invest in urgent and strategic defense priorities.”
“Weakness invites challenge,” he said.
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The White House, however, rejected concerns that the war is depleting U.S. military stockpiles.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. military has “more than enough munitions, ammo and weapons stockpiles to achieve the goals of Operation Epic Fury laid out by President (Donald) Trump and beyond.”
Her comments come as critics of President Donald Trump say the administration has not clearly defined the purpose or objectives of the war, while polls show a majority of Americans disapprove of the conflict.
Analysts told The Financial Times that replenishing the weapons used in the campaign could take years.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that U.S. forces fired 168 Tomahawk missiles within the first 100 hours of the conflict—a pace one U.S. lawmaker described bluntly: “It’s a lot. And it will take years to replace.”
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