A newly disclosed Pentagon Inspector General report reveals that the first phase of the US war with Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, cost $33.4 billion between 28 February and 29 June and left "strategic inventory shortfalls" in munitions stockpiles. The findings contradict repeated public assurances from President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that US weapons supplies remain plentiful, exposing a gap between official rhetoric and internal military assessments of the conflict's true toll.

The report found that hundreds of military and intelligence buildings across US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan were damaged, while at least 25 aircraft, including fighter jets, tankers and helicopters, plus around 30 drones, were destroyed or damaged. Crucially, the $33.4 billion figure excludes costs incurred since 29 June, as well as expenses for repairing bases, replacing aircraft and replenishing munitions such as Patriot and THAAD interceptors, meaning the true bill is likely far higher. The conflict has now lasted 199 days, and the Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.