Two months after launching the conflict with Israel, the Pentagon put the cost at $25bn, while energy markets are in turmoil and some congressional Republicans are growing impatient.
Trump, speaking in The Villages on Friday, said he had no regrets, but his forecasts of a short war with limited economic fallout are increasingly under strain.
The US and Israel say the campaign aims to stop Iran getting a nuclear weapon; despite strikes on military targets and senior leaders, Iran's government remains intact and able to retaliate.
As Iran's blockade triggers a global recession, can the US win a war its own economy cannot afford?
With Iran's nuclear material likely secured before the war began, what is the conflict's real objective now?
How the $1 Trillion Iran War is Reshaping U.S. Politics, Economy, and Military Leadership
Overview
The U.S. war with Iran, launched without congressional approval in February 2026, has triggered massive economic and political consequences. Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. naval counter-blockade caused oil prices to soar, pushing gasoline and fuel costs to multi-year highs. These rising energy prices increased transportation costs and disrupted food supplies, worsening global hunger and inflation. Public support for the war has declined sharply, fueling political risks for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms, while Democrats unite in opposition and gain voter motivation. Meanwhile, Pentagon leadership faces turmoil amid costly military operations and a record $1.45 trillion defense budget request, highlighting the conflict's deep and lasting impact.