U.S. 'Epic Fury' Operation Against Iran Costs $890 Million Daily

The U.S. military operation "Epic Fury" against Iran is costing approximately 1.3 trillion won ($890 million) per day, according to a new analysis.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank, released a report on the 5th (local time) estimating that approximately $3.7 billion (about 5.47 trillion won) was spent during the first 100 hours since the operation began.

The initial 100 hours of warfare represent the most intensive phase of airstrikes. Converted to a daily basis, war costs amount to approximately $891.4 million (about 1.32 trillion won), the analysis found.

Ammunition Replenishment Alone Costs 4.5 Trillion Won; Air Operations Most Expensive

CSIS categorized the costs into three areas: operational costs, ammunition replenishment, and equipment losses and infrastructure restoration.

Operational costs were analyzed at approximately $196 million (about 289.7 billion won). A significant portion of this was already reflected in the fiscal year 2026 defense budget, according to the report.

However, ammunition replenishment costs of approximately $3.1 billion (about 4.58 trillion won) and equipment loss and facility restoration costs of approximately $350 million (about 517.3 billion won) were largely not included in existing budgets.

Air operations accounted for the largest share of total costs. The U.S. military is currently conducting operations with more than 200 fighter jets, including stealth fighters such as the F-35 and F-22, non-stealth aircraft including the F-15, F-16, and A-10, and carrier-based fighters.

CSIS estimated that land-based air operations alone cost approximately $125 million (about 184.8 billion won) during the first 100 hours, with additional costs of at least $30 million (about 44.3 billion won) per day thereafter.

Naval forces have also been deployed on a large scale. Two aircraft carriers, 14 destroyers, and three littoral combat ships are currently stationed in the Middle East region, conducting Tomahawk missile strikes and air defense operations. Fleet operational costs were analyzed at approximately $64.5 million (about 95.3 billion won) for the first 100 hours, with an estimated $15 million (about 22.2 billion won) per day in additional costs thereafter.

Ammunition costs represented the largest portion of total expenses. The U.S. military is estimated to have used more than 2,000 munitions to strike over 2,000 targets during the first 100 hours of operations.

Based on historical aerial warfare cases, CSIS calculated that an average of 1.3 munitions were used per target, bringing actual munitions used to approximately 2,600 rounds. Replenishing these with identical weapons would cost approximately $1.5 billion (about 2.22 trillion won).

Air defense missile costs for intercepting ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran were also substantial. Iran is estimated to have launched approximately 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones in this conflict, which were intercepted using missile defense systems including Patriot and THAAD. CSIS estimated air defense missile costs alone at approximately $1.7 billion (about 2.51 trillion won).

Three Fighter Jets Lost at Cost of 450 Billion Won; Additional Budget May Be Needed

Equipment losses confirmed to date remain relatively limited. However, three F-15 fighter jets were lost over Kuwait due to friendly fire. Given that a single latest-model F-15EX fighter costs approximately $103 million (about 152.2 billion won), simple replacement costs amount to approximately $309 million (about 456.8 billion won).

Some U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Qatar were reportedly damaged by Iranian missile attacks, with estimated restoration costs of approximately $50 million (about 73.9 billion won) included in the calculations.

CSIS noted that given the early stage of war represents the most intensive period, the rate of cost increase may gradually moderate going forward. The report explained that ammunition costs could decrease as the military transitions from expensive long-range missiles used in initial attacks to relatively cheaper precision-guided bombs.

However, given that a significant portion of war costs was not reflected in current defense budgets, the administration may need to secure additional funding. CSIS analyzed that the Department of Defense could request supplemental appropriations from Congress or secure funding through future budget adjustment legislation.