WASHINGTON, 16 September, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The six-month-old US war against Iran has cost approximately $38 billion so far, with the cost projected to increase by around $3 billion per month, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO said the conflict is expected to increase inflation by 0.5% during the first three months of 2027. The mounting costs have placed pressure on US munitions stockpiles and contributed to higher energy prices, raising concerns over Washington’s ability to respond to other potential conflicts while managing an already strained federal budget. The budget office estimated that the majority of the costs resulted from the rapid use of munitions and said replenishing US stockpiles could take up to five years. The report noted that the US Department of Defense did not cooperate with congressional financial auditors. The assessment, covering expenses through August 1, did not include the costs of recent strikes on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz or attacks on US military installations in the region, nor did it account for borrowing costs associated with financing the war. Eighteen US military service members have reportedly been killed in the conflict. The inquiry was conducted at the request of Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the US House of Representatives Budget Committee.