WASHINGTON \u2014 Defense Department officials told senators in a closed-door briefing Tuesday that they estimate the first six days of the war in Iran<\/a> cost more than $11.3 billion, according to three sources familiar with the briefing.<\/p>\n Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told reporters Wednesday that he believes the amount is even higher, as the current figure does not include every aspect of the war<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect that the current total operating number is significantly above that,\u201d Coons said. \u201cIf all you\u2019re looking at is the replacement cost for the munitions used, it\u2019s already well beyond $10 billion.\u201d<\/p>\n The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the briefing to the Republican-led Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense. The briefing was first reported by The New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n The cost estimate for less than a week’s worth of warfare comes as the Trump administration is determining how much it will request from Congress in a supplemental funding bill to cover the growing cost of the conflict. The appropriations subcommittee will be instrumental in crafting that legislation.<\/p>\n The war, now into its 11th day, has caused hundreds of casualties<\/a> in the Middle East. Israeli and American strikes have killed more than 1,200 people in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Thirteen people have died in Israel, and six have died in the United Arab Emirates, while 570 people in Lebanon have died, according to the Lebanese prime minister\u2019s office.<\/p>\n Seven U.S. service members have died in the war, and 140 have been wounded.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear how much longer the war will last. President Donald Trump gave conflicting remarks<\/a> Tuesday, saying the war would end \u201cvery soon,\u201d while he said at the same event that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth\u2019s claims that it was only \u201cthe beginning\u201d could also be correct.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you could say both,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n Tensions are heightening as at least three ships have been attacked on the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump said would cause the U.S. to escalate attacks against Iran. U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that it had \u201celiminated\u201d 16 Iranian minelayers and multiple naval vessels near the strait.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best\/mpx\/2704722219\/2026_03\/1773248354087_now_brk_trump_military_iran_needs_260311_1920x1080-6p7sht.jpg\")
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