The United States is showing firmness in its position. Donald Trump is demanding an “unconditional surrender” from Iran, the American president writes on his Truth Social network. He also indicates that he intends to be involved both in the choice of future leaders of the country and in its future reconstruction.
But how long will Washington remain engaged in this offensive? Because debate is raging in the United States about the cost of the war, with the Democratic opposition citing a figure of one billion dollars per day. This is not an official figure, but it is reported by several officials.
It is difficult to assess the cost of the war, with much classified information and the Pentagon not providing precise numbers on all strikes, weapons, and ammunition used. Republicans and some military experts consider this one billion estimate to be excessive. However, at least in the first days of the conflict, the order of magnitude seems credible. Independent organizations have calculated that, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the war costs $890 million per day, with air operations and naval operations being the most expensive. The total should decrease as the intensity of the Iranian response diminishes.
Researchers at Brown University have also reached a similar estimate, estimating the cost of the first four days of war at 3.7 billion, not including other costs for Americans, notably the increase in gasoline prices. The impact can quickly become political just a few months before the midterm elections in November.
