A Harvard economist calculated exactly how much the Iran war will cost U.S. taxpayers-and it's staggering

""According to my calculations, those first few days cost at least $16 billion. We are spending down munitions at an extraordinarily fast pace-to put it in perspective, we fired more Patriot missiles in the first four days of the Iran war than we have given to Ukraine over the past four years.""

""The president is proposing roughly a 50% increase in the defense budget. If enacted in full, that would push defense spending to levels about 20% higher than the peak reached during World War II.""

""Thousands of Iranians, including at least 1,700 civilians, have already lost their lives to the war. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers have been injured with at least 13 dead.""

The military efforts in Iran by the Trump administration are projected to cost American taxpayers significantly. Current expenses are around $2 billion daily, with initial costs underestimated at $11.3 billion. Expert Linda Bilmes suggests the true cost in the first days was at least $16 billion. The war has already resulted in thousands of casualties, including civilians and U.S. soldiers. Long-term costs, including veteran care and a potential permanent increase in the defense budget, are concerning, with proposals suggesting a 50% increase in defense spending.

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