Trump’s War in Iran
Estimated total cost since Feb 28, 2026 (1:15 AM ET)
$0
That’s an estimated $10,278 every second.
Every single second, we spend enough for about
These members of Congress voted to authorize military action against Iran, without a single public hearing.
House VoteMar 5, 2026House rejects Iran War Powers Resolution
Senate VoteMar 3, 2026Senate blocks Iran War Powers Resolution from reaching a floor vote
We’re keeping the receipts.
Sources & Methodology
Cost estimate
The per-second rate of $10,278 is derived from a CSIS analysis estimating $3.7 billion in the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury:
$3,700,000,000 ÷ 100 hours ÷ 3,600 sec/hr = $10,278/sec
This is a conservative floor. The CSIS estimate covers operational costs, munitions replacement, and combat losses for the first 100 hours only. The National Priorities Project separately estimates $59.4 million/day for major deployed systems alone, and Responsible Statecraft reports costs have already surpassed $5 billion with the Pentagon expected to request $50 billion more. The counter begins at the operation start time of 1:15 AM ET on February 28, 2026. The Iran Cost Ticker has a detailed breakdown by weapon system and operational phase with valuable sourcing. Our estimate is simpler and ends up more conservative.
Spending equivalencies
Domestic spending comparisons use standard federal figures and national averages:
- • Teacher salary: $72,030/year (NEA, 2025)
- • School lunches: $4.60/meal (SNA/USDA rate, 2025–26)
- • Pell Grants: $7,395 max award (2025–26) (Federal Student Aid)
- • Child healthcare (CHIP): $2,506/year per child (KFF/MACPAC, FY2023)
- • VA healthcare: $15,000/year per veteran (VA budget per enrollee)
- • Head Start: $14,532/year per preschool slot (median) (ASPE, Feb 2026)
- • Affordable housing: $232,000 per unit (HUD Housing Trust Fund avg)
- • ACA subsidy: $7,428/year avg premium tax credit per enrollee ($619/month) (CMS, 2025 Open Enrollment Report)