US-Iran War Cost Surpasses $25 Billion as Aircraft Carrier Prepares to Leave Middle East
JUBA, South Sudan — The United States military campaign against Iran has now cost an estimated $25 billion, a senior Pentagon official revealed Wednesday, as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group prepares to depart the Middle East in the coming days.
The disclosure came during a House hearing where Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst provided the first official price tag for the conflict, which began in March 2026. The figure covers munitions, personnel deployment, naval operations, and logistics across the theater.
Aircraft Carrier Heading Home
A U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that the USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying strike group are expected to begin their journey home after being deployed since last June. The carrier has been a central asset in U.S. operations, including the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.
U.S. Central Command reported Wednesday that 41 vessels carrying 69 million barrels of Iranian oil — worth an estimated $6 billion — have been redirected as part of the blockade initiated on April 13.
Political Fallout
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle during his first public appearance on Capitol Hill since hostilities began. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance pushed back on a report from The Atlantic that he had questioned whether the Pentagon was misrepresenting U.S. missile stockpiles.
On the diplomatic front, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned President Trump against further military action in Iran, with a Kremlin aide telling reporters that Putin highlighted the “inevitable and extremely damaging consequences” of continued strikes.
Global Ramifications
The conflict has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining largely closed to commercial traffic since Iran deployed naval mines in March. The waterway normally carries 20% of the world’s oil supply.
The U.S. is exploring the use of Ukrainian demining drones, specifically the TLK-150 underwater vehicle, to clear the strait — a process experts say could take months.
For Africa and South Sudan, the war has contributed to rising fuel and food prices, compounding existing humanitarian crises. Nearly eight million people in South Sudan are currently at risk of acute hunger, according to a UN-backed report released this week.
What’s Next
President Trump told reporters that Putin has offered to assist in removing enriched uranium from Iran, though details remain unclear. Iran has seized two commercial ships it accused of violating restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, and its allies in Yemen have threatened further action.
This is a developing story. Check back with JubaGlobal for updates.
