Human losses, financial cost… The true toll of three months of war in the Middle East

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Between the United States and Iran, a deadly, costly face-off. Beyond the communications war between the two camps, here is the real assessment of three months of conflict. The carpet bombing leaves behind many victims. First, 13 American soldiers were killed. In Iran, no official toll, but estimates: at least 3,636 dead, including 1,700 civilians, according to an Iranian human rights association.

And the war is expensive, very expensive for both countries. In the United States, the Pentagon officially announces 29 billion dollars. But it would be at least 50, according to experts. Because the administration’s estimates do not take into account the damage on American bases in the Middle East, such as in Kuwait. At least 16 were heavily damaged in eight different countries. Some are almost no longer usable. For example, satellite images show that golf balls are actually domes, which protect vital communications dishes. Expensive technologies, systematically and meticulously mined.

In Iran, the destruction is so significant that the economic impact is difficult to quantify: between 300 billion and 1,000 billion dollars. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz alone costs Tehran 435 million per day, which is prevented from exporting its black gold. In the battle, Iran lost 155 ships, the United States 42 aircraft. And to fight blow for blow, it was necessary to use a lot of ammunition: a total of 4,500 American missiles of all types, very expensive, and on the Iranian side, missiles, but above all 4,400 drones, much cheaper to build.

For what result? Iran would quickly, very quickly, recover its military capabilities. Bakhtaran, in the west of the country, and its underground missile launch site, were targeted by more than a dozen strikes, as craters show. Since the ceasefire, Iranian backhoe loaders have been working to clear access to the tunnel. New roads have already been built. According to the CIA, the Islamic Republic has reconstituted 70% of its missile stock and, for nuclear power, there is no evidence that the capacity to enrich uranium has really been destroyed.

Human toll

Financial balance sheet:

• US: 29 billion dollars, (Source Pentagon), minimum 50 billion dollars (according to American officials on condition of anonymity, quoted by CBS and CNN)
• Iran: estimate between 300 billion and 1 trillion dollars (Source: three Iranian officials on condition of anonymity and two economists, cited by the New York Times)
• Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz costs 435 million per day

Bill of materials :

Sources supplémentaires :

CNN

Washington Post

Non-exhaustive list.