Leaked photos and CBO report expose scale of US losses in Iran war
Active-duty troops leaked images of wrecked bases as CBO and a Pentagon watchdog put the war's cost at $38 billion and rising inflation.
What to know
- CBO puts the Iran war's cost at $38 billion through August 1, driven mainly by replacing munitions, and projects it will keep rising $2-3 billion per month.
- A Pentagon watchdog found hundreds of buildings and dozens of aircraft damaged or destroyed, and confirmed a missile interceptor shortage the White House had downplayed.
- Leaked photos from active-duty troops, published by CBS News and picked up by BBC, show damage service members say has not been disclosed to the public.
- CBO says the war is adding to inflation and borrowing costs, giving Democrats in Congress new ammunition to call for ending the conflict ahead of midterms.
The dispute Whether the CBO/Pentagon's $38 billion figure is a reasonable conservative estimate or a severe undercount that omits base repairs, healthcare, and broader economic damage. · positions read across 188 posts and comments
The real cost of the war is far higher than the official $38 billion figure once damage, healthcare, and fuel costs are included.
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“$40 Billion? 17 bases and equipment were damaged or Destroyed! $200 Billion easy! Will go to $1 Trillion!”
djjakej.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
This outcome was entirely predictable and officials are hiding the truth to avoid political fallout.
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“Oh no, who could have predicted this other than anyone who thought about it for 5 seconds?”
secballoondogs.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Blame extends beyond the White House to a Congress, including some Democrats, that let the war continue.
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“That's the MAGA controlled Congress, by the way.”
tjcatskills.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The war's economic damage is a deliberate strategy to impoverish and control the population.
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“THAT WAS THE GOAL. THE. GOAL. SAY IT. IMPOVERISHMENT AND DEPRIVATION ARE TOOLS OF CONTROL.”
sniffit.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Elizabeth Warren US Senator
Pete Hegseth US Defense SecretaryJules "Jay" Hurst III Pentagon comptrollerMike Thompson US RepresentativeCongressional Budget Office Nonpartisan federal budget analyst
How it unfolded 7 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideospostscomments
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Commentary argues official figures miss the war's real costs
A Bulwark piece by Mark Hertling argued the CBO's $38 billion figure and interceptor-replacement timeline understate the war's full toll, since they exclude casualties, base repairs, and broader strategic costs.
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first by Semafor, 7d ago · also The Bulwark, ABC News, CNBC, Time Magazine, Time
4 more headlines
- The True Costs of the Iran War The Bulwark · 7d ago
- WATCH: The cost of the war with Iran on our military ABC News · 6d ago
- Iran war has cost on average $246 million per day in its first five months, CBO finds CNBC · 6d ago
- Iran War Has Cost U.S. Nearly $40 Billion and Fueled Inflation, CBO Finds Time Magazine · 6d ago
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The Trump administration continues to downplay the U.S. war with Iran, as new images obtained appear to show the damage and destruction to U.S. military assets.
2 more of the top 3 · 19 posts in this stretch
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Trump's illegal war of choice in Iran has already cost us over $38 BILLION, and that's before you factor in the rising costs you're paying for gas, groceries, & virtually everything else. To protect our troops, civilians in the region, & to lower prices we need to end this war, NOW.
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# BBCNews - Photos show widespread damage at US sites from Iranian attacks https://www. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8g49e 0gwxeno
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Moody's estimates $1,760 per-household cost of the war
An analysis from Moody's cited by a fact-checking account put the war's cost to the average US household at around $1,760, adding a household-level figure to the national cost estimates.
“Voted again to end the Iran war. A new, nonpartisan report from the Congressional Budget Office found the war is responsible for 40 percent of the recent inflation that is driving up prices for groceries, gas, and everything else. End the war now.”
— Mike Thompson, US Representative · source -
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The Iran War has now cost the average U.S. household around $1,760, according to an analysis from Moody’s.
2 more of the top 3 · 23 posts in this stretch
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Get the most important and interesting news from the global economy delivered to your inbox. https:// qz.com/cbo-iran-war-cost-38-bi llion-missile-defense-091626?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Business News @ business-news-quartz
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This is rhe most unhinged Maga take as of late. I saw it the other day as well which makes me guess it must be making the rounds on fox. The idea that closing the strait or renewed bombing in the strait doesn't impact the price at the pump is so detached from reality it's not even certain where to begin. No trying to be hyperbolicx it's borderline…
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BBC and Middle East Eye say US is underplaying the damage
Following the leaked photos, BBC and Middle East Eye reported that active service members say the extent of 'major damage' to US assets has not been fully disclosed to the public.
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2 outlets first by ABC News, 7d ago · also ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · read ↗
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first by Mastodon, 7d ago · also Middle East Eye
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One thing that Trump and Pete Hegseth will never tell you about the war - the truth.
2 more of the top 3 · 7 posts in this stretch
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US war on Iran costs hit $38 billion, set to rise $3 billion monthly —— The six-month US war against Iran has cost $38 billion so far, with the figure expected to increase by another $3 billion each month, according to Congress’ nonpartisan budget office on Tuesday. The war is
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Report: US active-service members are anonomously providing visual evidence of Iran's damage to US bases, which Trump & Hegseth have underplayed. The service members say the extent of the damage "hasn't been communicated to the American public." Images included show a direct hit on a Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft & hollowed-out buildings…
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CBS News publishes leaked photos of damaged US bases
CBS News obtained images sent by active-duty service members showing wrecked aircraft, flattened trailers and destroyed buildings at US positions in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which the outlet said revealed damage for the first time.
“This is major damage to our bases that hasn't been communicated to the American public,…”
— unnamed active-duty service member -
first by BBC, 7d ago · also Snopes
1 more headline
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first by Independent UK, 7d ago
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New photos obtained exclusively by CBS News reveal for the first time the widespread damage and destruction of buildings and vehicles at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East, as a result of Iranian missile and drone attacks. The images were sent to CBS News by active
2 more of the top 3 · 46 posts in this stretch
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CBO analysis: The Iran war has cost the U.S. $38 billion as of August 1. That’s >$246 million per day, on average. CBO says the war has raised inflation and global energy prices, citing reduced traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and says it’ll raise interest rates on treasuries.
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"Loss of US capability is the real reason Washington & Tel Aviv have taken a breather from assaulting Iran." All "20 or so US military bases in the Middle East have been damaged or rendered inoperable, including the HQ of the Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain." Iran has inflicted $USbs of damage to sophisticated radar & signals intelligence…
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Lawmakers seize on CBO figures to attack the war's cost
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, VoteVets and other Democrats publicized the CBO numbers as evidence of a costly, unresolved conflict driving inflation; Rep. Mike Thompson cited the report while voting again to end the war.
“Trump's war in Iran has cost taxpayers almost $40 BILLION and drove nearly HALF of inflation.”
— Elizabeth Warren -
first by Stars & Stripes, 8d ago · also Politico, New York Post, NY Post, Straight Arrow, Independent UK, France 24 +4
10 more headlines
- Iran war has led to munitions shortfall, bottlenecks to restock, Pentagon IG says Politico · 8d ago
- Iran war effort hampered by munitions shortfalls, production ‘bottlenecks,’ Pentagon watchdog finds New York Post · 8d ago
- Pentagon watchdog finds US munitions shortfalls as Iran war costs hit $33.4B Straight Arrow · 8d ago
- US defense chiefs warn of munitions shortfall over Iran war The Independent · 8d ago
- Iran war exposes US munitions shortfall, industrial bottlenecks, Pentagon report says France 24 · 8d ago
- Defense Department's inspector says U.S. is facing munition shortfall, spent $33 billion on war with Iran CBS News · 8d ago
- Pentagon watchdog says Iran war has led to munitions shortfall NBC News · 8d ago
- US defense chiefs warn of munitions shortfall as Iran war costs hit $33bn The Independent · 8d ago
- Trump’s Iran war has cost US $38bn and caused munitions ‘shortfall’ ft.com · 8d ago
- Iran war has left US with munitions ‘shortfall’, Pentagon watchdog says FT · 8d ago
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NEWS: Trump's war in Iran has cost taxpayers almost $40 BILLION and drove nearly HALF of inflation. It's a conservative estimate, excluding damage to U.S. bases, destroyed munition supplies, and higher costs like gas and groceries—per the Congressional Budget Office.
2 more of the top 3 · 69 posts in this stretch
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🚨 BREAKING: THE PENTAGON JUST PUT NUMBERS ON THE DAMAGE FROM IRAN’S STRIKES. HUNDREDS of buildings and structures at U.S. facilities damaged or destroyed. DOZENS of U.S. aircraft damaged or destroyed. Including: 4 F-15Es 1 F-35A damaged 1 A-10 7 KC-135 tankers 1 E-3
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"Loss of US capability is the real reason Washington & Tel Aviv have taken a breather from assaulting Iran." All "20 or so US military bases in the Middle East have been damaged or rendered inoperable, including the HQ of the Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain." Iran has inflicted $USbs of damage to sophisticated radar & signals intelligence…
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CBO puts Iran war cost at $38 billion, cites inflation impact
The Congressional Budget Office told Congress the war has cost about $38 billion through August 1, mostly from replacing munitions, and will add roughly 0.5 percentage points to inflation in early 2027 due to disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping.
“CBO estimates that the cost to replace the munitions expended through August 1, 2026, is $21.7 billion: $7.3 billion for the land-attack cruise missiles, $13.1 billion for the missile defense interceptors, and $1.2 billion for other munitions…”
— Congressional Budget Office -
first by The Canberra Times, 8d ago · also Stars & Stripes, Roll Call, Times of India, Bloomberg, NYT, CBS News +17
18 more headlines
- Iran war has cost $38 billion, budget office says Stars & Stripes · 8d ago
- CBO: Iran War Cost Hits $38 Billion, Forecast to Rise $3 Billion Monthly NewsMax.com · 8d ago
- Iran war has cost $38 billion and counting, CBO says Roll Call · 8d ago
- $33.4bn war cost, $22.3bn on munitions: What US lost in 6 months of Iran war Times of India · 8d ago
- War in Iran Has Cost US $38 Billion Over Five Months, CBO Says Bloomberg Politics · 8d ago
- Independent Budget Office Estimates Iran War Has Cost $38 Billion NYT · 8d ago
- Iran War could cost $2 billion per month, Congressional Budget Office estimates CBS News · 8d ago
- U.S. war with Iran has cost $38B and is running at $3B per month, CBO says Investing.com News · 8d ago
- Iran war cost hits $38 billion, forecast to rise $3bn a month, CBO says Middle East Eye · 8d ago
- Iran war has cost US military $48 billion: Congressional Budget Office Straits Times · 8d ago
- Iran war has cost the US more than $38 billion, budget office says Boston Globe · 8d ago
- Iran war costs: $38B, plus $2-3B per month going forward, CBO says Breaking Defense · 8d ago
- Iran war costs $38 billion so far, could rise by up to $3 billion per month: US budget office Anadolu Agency · 8d ago
- War on Iran cost U.S. more than $38B: Congressional Budget Office The Hindu · 8d ago
- Iran War Has Cost Pentagon $38 Billion And Counting, Budget Office Finds HuffPost · 8d ago
- Iran war has cost US military US$38 bn: Congressional Budget Office Channel News Asia · 8d ago
- Iran war has cost U.S. more than $38 bil, budget office says Japan Today · 8d ago
- Iran war has cost the US more than $38B, budget office says Scripps News · 8d ago
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first by Anadolu Agency, 9d ago · also Channel News Asia, Straits Times, Jerusalem Post, France 24 EN, France 24, Dawn +2
6 more headlines
- US military says Iran war has led to munitions shortfall Channel News Asia · 9d ago
- Iran war has led to Pentagon munitions shortfall, US Defense Department probe finds - report Jerusalem Post · 9d ago
- 🔴 Middle East live: Pentagon report says Iran war has led to munitions shortfall France 24 EN · 9d ago
- War on Iran resulted in munitions shortfall for US, confirms Pentagon report Dawn · 9d ago
- Pentagon watchdog says war on Iran led to 'strategic' US munitions shortfalls Middle East Eye · 9d ago
- Iran war cost: $33.4B in four months, U.S. munitions shortfalls Seeking Alpha · 9d ago
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The Pentagon’s Inspector General reports today that “hundreds” of buildings and structures on U.S. bases in the Middle East have been destroyed by Iranian attacks.
2 more of the top 3 · 22 posts in this stretch
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".. The Iran war cost an estimated $33.4 billion as of June 29, according to the U.S. Department of Defense .. That includes $184 million in physical damage to U.S. diplomatic facilities in four countries .." @cnbc.com media.
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Report: A report from a Pentagon watchdog paints a picture of significant losses to US forces & facilities during the US war on Iran, ie, "far more than previously acknowledged." The Iranians destroyed dozens of aircraft, including at least 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, & 100s of US military buildings in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq…
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Pentagon inspector general reports hundreds of buildings destroyed
A Pentagon watchdog report found hundreds of buildings and structures on US bases across the Middle East destroyed or damaged and dozens of aircraft lost, and confirmed a critical shortfall in missile interceptor stockpiles despite White House claims of ample supply.
“"hundreds" of buildings and structures on U.S. bases in the Middle East have been destroyed by Iranian attacks.”
— Pentagon Inspector General (via @DanDePetris) -
first by Mastodon, 7d ago · also BBC, BBC Middle East
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3 outlets first by Business Insider, 8d ago · also Joe.My.God., Washington Post · read ↗
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Hi Trump. "Pentagon’s inspector general released its 1st report on the war w Iran, saying the conflict has resulted in a shortfall of US munitions & “bottlenecks” in supply chains as Trump admin works to replenish weaponry. ..Hegseth has denied reports that the U.S. is running low on munitions" Pentagon watchdog says Iran wa...
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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See above. They basically gutted anyone who told them to stop running with the chainsaw on. https://www. nbcnews.com/politics/national- security/pentagon-watchdog-says-iran-war-led-munitions-shortfall-rcna597019 # unitedstates
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background
US war with Iran begins — The conflict referenced throughout the coverage started on February 28, 2026, and had by mid-September generated tens of billions of dollars in costs according to CBO.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by BBC Middle East, 7d ago · also CBS News, BBC
1 more headline
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first by Times of India, 7d ago · also The Times of India
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first by CNBC, 8d ago · also Defense News
1 more headline
- Iranian strikes damaged hundreds of US military buildings, dozens of aircraft Defense News · 8d ago
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first by CNN, 8d ago · also KTVZ-TV
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first by Bloomberg, 8d ago · also Bloomberg Politics
and 22 smaller pieces
What people are saying 10 voices from 4 sites · best of 188 · verbatim
- How much will it actually cost to rebuild or replace damaged bases, and will the Pentagon even attempt it?
- Will rising costs and inflation pressure Congress to force an end to the war before the midterms?
- Sep 18
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Trump trying to bring back manufacturing?!!! What kind of drugs are you smoking? He’s lost hundreds of thousands of jobs, the market is trashed, he’s the one who drew up the new NAFTA, that was just as bad, then a few weeks later, he’s saying “whoever made this deal is crazy, it’s a bad deal.” Like Mfker! You made the deal! He’s a grifter brother!…
- Sep 16
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GDP isn't the best marker for wealth and health of a country so it's not the greatest indicator. That said, this kind of problem could actually be solved in the easiest way, taxing the wealthy from their unrealized gains in shares and assets, and pouring that tax revenue into the country's infrastructure, and letting it back into the system to…
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We've managed, in part, by not appointing the absolute dumbest motherfuckers who've ever held the position, who have obtained their advancement purely through blind sycophancy. In other words, we did a really good job of keeping corruption to a minimum. No longer. There's a really good reason we haven't gotten our dicks stuck in the ants nest of…
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The US unilaterally attacked Iran with the expectation that European countries would be drawn into the conflict and commit forces to same leaving Europe unable to defend itself against Russian aggression. European countries have been playing international diplomacy for centuries longer than America has existed, they did not fall for the…
- Sep 15
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New photos reveal widespread damage at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East caused by Iranian attacks.
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NEW: Photos obtained by CBS News reveal widespread damage to buildings and vehicles at multiple U.S. positions across the Middle East following Iranian missile and drone attacks. “This is major damage to our bases that hasn’t been communicated to the American public,” one
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The US war on Iran, which began on February 28, has so far cost the country $38bn, with the tally expected to increase by $3bn per month, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro reports.
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🟠 UPDATE US-Iran War Costs and Stockpile Depletion Report The CBO assessment indicates the war has cost at least $38 billion through the end of July and warns that these costs are expected to further push inflation higher for American households. 📰 https://www. aol.com/articles/iran-war-cost s-38-billion-184856000.html # Iran # USA # Markets #…
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“.. The CBO expects the Iran war to add roughly 0.5 percentage points to inflation during that period, a calculation that is largely driven by higher energy costs due to the conflict.” @cnn.com
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Exactly, the military industrial complex sucks up taxpayer dollars. The 70 years of massive profits have to come from somewhere. Its because they build something for x and the government funds it at 40x. Thats excluding all the sweetheart deals for companies suppling the military with 60 dollar ice cube trays they get for 10c and 2k bags of bolts…