A U.S. strategic research institute revealed that the cost of the war attacking Iran in the first 100 hours reached $3.7 billion (about 118 billion baht), or nearly $900 million per day, while much of the spending was not included in the original budget and may create political pressure on the U.S. government.
Recent research from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. think tank, disclosed that the U.S.-Israel war against Iran caused the U.S. government to bear enormous costs of $3.7 billion (about 118 billion baht) in the first 100 hours of operations, averaging $891.4 million per day (approximately 28.39 billion baht).
Researchers Mark Cancian and Chris Park noted that most of the cost, about $3.5 billion, was "unplanned budget," which will become a major political challenge for the administration under President Donald Trump, who may soon have to seek additional budget approval from Congress.
The report stated that this unprecedentedly high cost resulted from using stealth bombers and advanced weapons systems. In the first 100 hours, the U.S. deployed over 2,000 pieces of military equipment and is expected to require $3.1 billion to replenish its arsenal to original levels.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the attacks on Iran "are about to significantly escalate" by increasing fighter squadrons, enhancing defense capabilities, and intensifying bombing frequency.
Analysts view the unplanned war budget as the "focal point of anti-war opposition" since Americans face a cost of living crisis, inflation, and rising oil prices due to the conflict. It also fractures President Trump's "America First" base, which pledged during his campaign not to engage the country in "foreign wars." This situation contrasts with the Venezuela operation leading to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which had nearly fully planned budget coverage.
Beyond economic costs, the war has caused massive biological losses. Iran’s Red Crescent Council reported that since bombings began on 28 Feb, at least 1,332 people have died in Iran, including at least 181 children, according to UNICEF data.
In Lebanon, deaths from Israeli attacks have risen to at least 123. On the U.S. side, six soldiers have died; Israel reported 11 deaths, and there are reports of nine additional deaths in the Arab Gulf countries.