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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Years of US Munitions \u2018Burned\u2019 in Days of War on Iran \u2013 Financial Times</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">March 13, 2026</div></div>
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<img src="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tomahawks_US_wiki.png" alt="" title="Tomahawks_US_wiki" class="gmail-moz-reader-block-img">
US forces have used large quantities
of advanced missiles, including Tomahawks, during the war on Iran.
(Photo: DVIDSHUB/Wikimedia)
<p><strong>By <a href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/palestine-chronicle-staff" title="Display all articles for Palestine Chronicle Staff">Palestine Chronicle Staff</a></strong> </p>
<blockquote>
<h3><span>The US military has burned through years of critical munitions during the war with Iran, raising concerns about costs.</span></h3>
</blockquote>
<h2><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h2>
<ul><li><span>US forces have used large quantities of advanced missiles, including Tomahawks, during the war on Iran.</span></li><li><span>Officials say the conflict has already cost more than $11 billion in the first six days of strikes.</span></li><li><span>The Pentagon is preparing to request up to $50 billion in additional funding for the military.</span></li><li><span>Some lawmakers warn Congress should not simply provide a \u201cblank cheque\u201d for the war.</span></li><li><span>Critics say the cost of expensive US weapons against cheap drones means \u201cthe math on this doesn\u2019t work.\u201d</span></li></ul>
<h4><b>War Burning Through US Weapons Stockpiles</b></h4>
<p><span>The US-Israeli military aggression on Iran is rapidly depleting key American weapons stockpiles, according to a </span><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/14713f6f-a1a6-4477-bd10-d3780fbc8ab5#selection-121.0-295.85"><span>report</span></a><span> published in the Financial Times on Friday, citing officials familiar with the situation.</span></p>
<p><span>Citing three people with knowledge of the matter, the report
said the Trump administration has burned through \u201cyears\u201d of critical
munitions since the start of the war with Iran. The rapid depletion
includes advanced long-range cruise missiles.</span></p>
<p><span>One person familiar with the military\u2019s operations said the conflict has involved \u201ca massive expenditure of Tomahawks.\u201d</span></p>
<p><span>\u201cThe navy will be feeling this expenditure for several years,\u201d the person reportedly said.</span></p>
<p><span>Tomahawk cruise missiles, which carry a 1,000-pound warhead,
cost approximately $3.6 million each and are manufactured by the US
defense company RTX.</span></p>
<p><span>The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated
that the US fired 168 Tomahawks in the first 100 hours of the war that
began on February 28.</span></p>
<p><span>A US lawmaker said the scale of the missile use is significant.</span></p>
<p><span>\u201cIt\u2019s a lot. And it will take years to replace,\u201d the lawmaker said, according to FT.</span></p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/us-kc-135-refueling-aircraft-downed-in-western-iraq-iran-says-crew-killed/">US KC-135 Refueling Aircraft Downed in Western Iraq; Iran Says Crew Killed</a></p></blockquote>
<h4><b>War Costs Mount as Congress Faces Funding Battle</b></h4>
<p><span>The US Pentagon is preparing to ask Congress for additional
funding to support the war effort. According to the report, the Defense
Department is expected to request as much as $50 billion in additional
military spending.</span></p>
<p><span>The request could trigger a major political battle in Washington.</span></p>
<p><span>US Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, warned that lawmakers would demand detailed
justification.</span></p>
<p><span>\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be able to provide us with information, as
requested, justification,\u201d Murkowski said, adding: \u201cDon\u2019t just take for
granted that the Congress\u2019s role is basically just to write the cheque.\u201d</span></p>
<p><span>The war is already proving extremely costly, according to the report.</span></p>
<p><span>Pentagon officials told lawmakers that the war had cost more
than $11 billion in the first six days of strikes, with most of the
spending going toward munitions.</span></p>
<p><span>The cost disparity between US weapons and Iranian drones has also raised concerns.</span></p>
<p><span>US Democratic Senator Mark Kelly said the price difference highlights a strategic problem.</span></p>
<p><span>\u201cThe rounds we\u2019re firing \u2014 Patriot rounds, Thaad
rounds\u2009.\u2009.\u2009.\u2009these weapon systems, each round is millions of dollars,\u201d
Kelly said. </span></p>
<p><span>Meanwhile, Iran is \u201cfiring cheap drones.\u201d \u201cThe math on this doesn\u2019t work,\u201d Kelly added.</span></p>
<blockquote><p><a href="https://www.palestinechronicle.com/explainer-why-iran-is-targeting-radars-satellites-and-air-defense-systems/">EXPLAINER: Why Iran Is Targeting Radars, Satellites, and Air Defense Systems</a></p></blockquote>
<h4><b>Political Pressure Builds</b></h4>
<p><span>The cost of the war is becoming an increasingly contentious issue in Washington.</span></p>
<p><span>According to US Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, the war is draining US resources.</span></p>
<p><span>The United States is spending \u201cmany billions\u201d on a war that is
becoming unpopular with the public, he said. \u201cThe cost of it goes up
practically as we talk,\u201d Wyden added, describing it as \u201can astronomical
sum.\u201d</span></p>
<p><span>Some officials argue that the spending is necessary to maintain US military strength.</span></p>
<p><span>Former Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell urged lawmakers
to approve the Pentagon\u2019s request even if they oppose the war itself.</span></p>
<p><span>\u201cWeakness invites challenge. (\u2026) But our adversaries have
sought to weaken and undermine America regardless of who the
commander-in-chief is,\u201d McConnell said.</span></p>
<p><span>Moreover, the White House insists the military still has sufficient resources.</span></p>
<p><span>White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that \u201cthe
US military has more than enough munitions, ammo and weapons stockpiles
to achieve the goals of Operation Epic Fury laid out by President Trump
and beyond.\u201d</span></p>
<p><span>She added that the president would continue pushing defense companies to expand production.</span></p>
<p><span>\u201cPresident Trump has always been intensely focused on
strengthening our armed forces and he will continue to call on defence
contractors to more speedily build American-made weapons, which are the
best in the world.\u201d</span></p>
<p><span>However, concerns remain about the strain on US weapons stockpiles.</span></p>
<p><span>Senator Murkowski said the rate of ammunition consumption
raises serious questions. \u201cWith the level of inventory that (US
aggression on Iran is) going through on a daily basis, I think we all
have reason to ask good questions about how we are doing on munitions,\u201d
she reportedly said.</span></p>
<p><i><span>(PC, Financial Times)</span></i></p>
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