The US Pentagon's estimate of a $25 billion war cost with Iran has been met with skepticism, with analysts suggesting the figure may be a significant underestimate.
A breakdown of the costs by Bloomberg shows that the $25 billion figure only accounts for a portion of munitions, damaged equipment, and operating expenses, totaling $14 billion.
This includes $8 billion for munitions, $5 billion for replacing damaged aircraft and equipment, and $1 billion for operating aircraft carriers and destroyers in the region.
However, the Pentagon's estimate does not take into account expenses such as repairing damaged US facilities, operational costs of ships and aircraft before the war, and the current naval blockade.
Experts have described the figure as a 'low-ball' estimate, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggesting the cost of munitions alone would be $25 billion.
Senator Richard Blumenthal has also been given war expense estimates of $2 billion a day, which he considers to be a 'low-ball figure'.
