Most Americans want Congress to prioritise ending the conflict, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The growing financial burden, coupled with the war’s impact on energy prices, could hurt Republicans as voters decide which party will control Congress for the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
The Trump administration is seeking approval for a proposed $1.5 trillion military budget, which would be a historic level of spending. The White House has also asked lawmakers to approve a $95 billion package to help fund the Iran war and other priorities. A Pentagon inspector general’s report released last month said Iranian strikes had damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other structures at US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan.
Most Americans want Congress to prioritise ending the conflict, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The growing financial burden, coupled with the war’s impact on energy prices, could hurt Republicans as voters decide which party will control Congress for the final two years of Trump’s presidency. The latest figures do not include damage to US military bases across the Middle East. Iran has targeted American installations with ballistic missiles and drones. The financial toll has intensified the debate in Congress over military spending. Wednesday marks eight months since the conflict began. Democrats have repeatedly tried to end the war through legislation, but their efforts have failed in the Republican-controlled Congress.
The president has said further strikes remain an option after the midterm elections. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticised the administration’s handling of the conflict and called for an end to the fighting. Meanwhile, a third aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are heading to the region. The administration has also reduced staffing at some US embassies after receiving intelligence that Iran had stepped up efforts to target American personnel.
The cost of the Iran war to American taxpayers has risen to an estimated $47.1 billion, according to the latest Pentagon figures provided to Congress, as the eight-month conflict threatens to become a key issue in next week’s US midterm elections. The estimate, compiled by US central command (Centcom) as of October 16, marks a $3.5 billion increase since early September. It comes as President Donald Trump leaves open the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran and sends additional military resources to the Middle East.