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US Spends Over $5 Billion on Ammunition in First Two Days of Iran War

US Spends Over Billion on Ammunition in First Two Days of Iran War

Pentagon report to Congress highlights rapid use of advanced weapons and rising conflict costs

The United States has spent more than $5 billion on ammunition in just the first two days of the ongoing conflict against Iran, according to a Pentagon report submitted to Congress last Monday. The figure, revealed to CNN by two sources familiar with the document, has raised alarms on Capitol Hill.

Congressional members are concerned about the speed at which the U.S. Department of Defense is using advanced weapons systems, including long-range precision-guided munitions, during the initial days of the war. CNN reports that the United States and its allies are also deploying substantial amounts of air defense munitions to intercept incoming Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, which Iran is believed to have in “massive stockpiles,” according to Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.

In response to the escalating costs, Senator Kelly indicated that lawmakers will continue to question Pentagon officials behind closed doors about the daily financial toll of the conflict for the United States. Several congressional sources told CNN that the administration will likely soon request supplemental funding to produce additional ammunition, which one aide described as “the next major battle.”

Operational updates from the U.S. military show extensive activity in the early phase of the war. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that American forces have struck over 5,000 targets since the conflict began 11 days ago.

Caine also stated that more than 50 Iranian vessels have been destroyed, compared to over 30 just last Thursday, through a combination of artillery, fighter jets, bombers, and sea-launched missiles. He emphasized that the United States has achieved “significant progress” in reducing missile and drone attacks from Iran, with ballistic missile strikes down by 90% and drone attacks reduced by 83% since the first day of the war on February 28.

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