Operation Epic Fury drains U.S. missile reserves and costs billions amid Iran clash
A DoD inspector general report says the first four months of Operation Epic Fury have cost $33.4 billion, with $22.3 billion spent on munitions and critical missile shortfalls emerging.
The report details that the U.S. campaign against Iran has exhausted large portions of its long-range missile inventory, creating resupply bottlenecks. Iranian counter-strikes destroyed four F-15E fighters, up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones and damaged an F-35A jet. Defense analysts warn that these depletions could jeopardize readiness in a potential prolonged conflict with China. The fighting has also resulted in at least 18 U.S. service members killed, more than 750 wounded, and $184 million in damage to diplomatic facilities.
Why it matters
The high cost and missile shortages threaten U.S. military readiness for future long-range conflicts.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 IAEA urges immediate access to Iran’s nuclear facilities amid verification concerns
- Sep 4 The Security Council is set to vote on extending the sanctions expert panel on September 17.
- Sep 9 Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired ballistic missiles at US Navy vessels twice in two days, while US forces evaded and kept patrolling, prompting worries that China or Russia may have supplied targeting data.
- Sep 9 The IAEA board voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council.
- Sep 10 UN Security Council scheduled a vote on extending the expert panel that assists the sanctions committee on Iran.
- Sep 13 Iran’s use of Chinese high‑resolution satellite photos for the July Jordan base strike was disclosed.
- Sep 14 Trump said the United States and China spy on each other and downplayed the claim that Chinese firms gave Iran the images.
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