Foreign Minister Araghchi Accuses US of 'Lying' about Iran War Cost of 100 Billion Dollars

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States (US) of misrepresenting the cost of war, saying the official figures presented significantly underestimated the actual financial burden.

In Araghchi's post on the social media platform X, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated that the Pentagon "lied" about the cost of the war, saying the figure had reached 100 billion US dollars.

"The speculation that Netanyahu is at risk has directly cost America 100 billion US dollars so far, four times what it claims," he wrote, referring to Israeli authority leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Araghchi said the indirect costs borne by US taxpayers "are much higher. The monthly bill for every American household reaches 500 US dollars and continues to increase rapidly."

He also criticized the US policy towards Israel by writing, "Israel Firstselalu berartiAmerica Last" (meaning Israel first means sacrificing American interests).

On Wednesday, Pentagon official Jules Hurst in his testimony to Congress stated that "Operation Epic Fury" has so far cost about 25 billion US dollars.

The United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran on February 28, which triggered a response from Tehran against US allies in the Gulf region as well as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but the marathon talks did not produce an agreement.

US President Donald Trump then unilaterally extended the ceasefire without setting a new deadline, at Pakistan's request.