The United States expended approximately $5.6 billion worth of weaponry during the first forty-eight hours of its military operations against Iran, according to a report by the Washington Post.The estimate, which was presented to Congress on Monday, sparked debate over the administration’s claims that the mission is not “quickly eroding the US military’s readiness.”
The report also said the scale of the expenditure has raised concerns among officials about the rapid depletion of what it described as the “scarce supply of America’s most advanced weaponry.”US Central Command said American forces have struck more than 5,000 targets in Iran and destroyed over 50 Iranian ships during the campaign.According to the information provided, the strikes have targeted command and control centers, IRGC headquarters buildings, IRGC intelligence sites, integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites and Iranian navy ships and submarines. Other targets include Iranian air defense systems, anti-ship missile sites, military communication capabilities, and ballistic missile and drone manufacturing facilities.A wide range of US military assets have been used in the operations, including B-1 bombers, B-2 stealth bombers and B-52 bombers. Other systems deployed include LUCAS drones, Patriot interceptor missile systems and THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems.Fighter aircraft involved in the campaign include F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, along with A-10 attack jets and EA-18G electronic attack aircraft. Airborne early warning and control aircraft, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and airborne communication relay platforms have also been deployed.
The Washington Post reported that US and Israeli forces will shift toward using “more plentiful stores of laser-guided bombs” as operations move further inland.To sustain the ongoing campaign, the White House is expected to request a supplemental defence budget this week that could reach tens of billions of dollars.Responding to questions from the Washington Post about the status of national stockpiles, Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said the department has “everything it needs to execute any mission at the time and place of the President’s choosing and on any timeline.”Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against any attempt to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America twenty times harder than they have been hit thus far,” he said in a post on Truth Social.He added that the US military would focus on “easily destroyable” locations and suggested the strikes could be so severe that Iran might struggle to recover as a nation.“Death, Fire and Fury will reign upon them – But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” he added.Trump said the warning was meant to protect global trade. “This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.”The warning comes amid broader tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Despite the escalating rhetoric over the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said in a separate interview that the current military conflict has reached a decisive stage.
