The Pentagon's inspector general has put a price tag on the air campaign against Iran: $22.3 billion in expended munitions through late June, part of a $33.4 billion total for Operation Epic Fury that began in late February.
The inventory hole
The watchdog report, released Monday, says the expenditure created "strategic inventory shortfalls" and exposed bottlenecks in the industrial base for resupply. The Pentagon is now trying to speed procurement and build stockpiles of critical components.
Official denials
The White House and Pentagon leadership have repeatedly rejected shortage claims. Adm. Brad Cooper, who runs Central Command, told CBS he was "not concerned" about inventories and said the force remains "armed and ready for any contingency."
What the missiles cost
In the opening weeks, U.S. forces struck more than 13,000 Iranian targets using missiles launched from fighters, ships and ground batteries, while also firing high-end interceptors against incoming drones and missiles. The Center for Strategic and International Studies calculated by late May that thousands of cruise missiles and interceptors, including Tomahawks and rounds for THAAD and Patriot batteries, had been consumed, and that replenishing those specific stocks would take years.
The broader readiness question
The drain has revived a debate about whether the United States can sustain a major conflict with a rival power such as China or Russia. CSIS analysts wrote in July that pre-war studies already showed inventory gaps; the Iran campaign has deepened them, and a years-long replenishment effort now lies ahead.
Equipment losses
The inspector general also documented $3.7 billion in equipment losses. Dozens of aircraft, fighters, tankers, combat drones and helicopters, were damaged or destroyed, some by Iranian fire at bases, some during combat sorties, and some by friendly forces.