A senior White House adviser said that the war on Iran by the US has so far cost the country $12 billion. The administration claims that the operation with Israel is on schedule. It will not require any extra money from Congress.
Kevin Hassett told CBS News Sunday that $12 billion cost of the war is what the US has incurred since the joint attacks with Israel started in late February. Hassett also said that the $12 billion does not represent the total cost of the operation, which is expected to take a few weeks.
The administration is doing its best to reassure the American public that the war will not affect the US economy.
Administration Defends Cost and Timeline
Pentagon estimates previously showed the war’s price had already topped $11.3 billion within the first six days, driven mainly by precision-guided munitions and air assaults. However, Hassett said officials do not expect to ask lawmakers for additional funding, arguing that current military stockpiles can sustain the offensive.
Defense officials believe the military campaign — which began on February 28 — could last four to six weeks, and Hassett claimed the operation was ahead of schedule. He said, “We’re a couple of weeks in.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright also predicted the war could end within weeks, even as the White House works to calm fears about potential economic fallout.
Economic Measures and Strategic Assurances
Furthermore, the administration has extended permits for imports of energy and fertilizer from Venezuela and Morocco. They are allowing more foreign vessels to transport jet fuel from the Gulf of Mexico to the US West Coast.
Moreover, he also dismissed Iranian threats that the conflict could affect the American economy, saying that the US is in a better position than it was during the 1970s energy crisis because it is now a major oil producer.
The US-Israeli attack has already caused heavy casualties. Estimates indicate that 1,200 people have died in Iran since the attack began, including former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, while at least 14 US service members have died. However, the White House said that the operation is going faster than expected.
