$38 BILLION · U.S. MILITARY

Iran war cost passes $38 billion—with billions more possible every month

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated costs through August 1 and warned the monthly bill depends on the fighting.

THE STRAIGHT-TALK VERSION

Thirty-eight billion dollars is the opening tab, not the final receipt.

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LOUSTL REAL TALK
BOSTL REAL TALK
LOU SAYS

STL Real Talk. Here is the straight-talk breakdown: Iran war cost passes $38 billion—with billions more possible every month.

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Here's what we know right now

  • The CBO estimated Defense Department costs above $38 billion through August 1.
  • Continuing costs could reach $3 billion a month or more depending on intensity.
  • The estimate arrived while Congress continued debating presidential war authority.

Lou and Bo's Real Talk take

LOU:Thirty-eight billion—and Uncle Sam still ain't asking if we want separate checks.

BO:The CBO says up to three billion more every month, maybe higher. That's a national bill.

LOU:If the mission keeps expanding, the explanation better expand too.

Sources and further reading

Associated Press report via First Alert 4

STL Real Talk standard: We separate confirmed facts, allegations and commentary. Send corrections, documents or firsthand information to brandon@stlrealtalk.com.