What the Iran war has cost the US, from drones to nukes

Key Points:

• The Iran conflict, initiated by President Trump in February with expectations of a short war, has extended over four months with significant casualties, including 13 U.S. service members and thousands of Iranian and Lebanese deaths, highlighting the complexity and longevity of modern conflicts.
• While U.S. and Israeli strikes have weakened Iran's military capabilities, Tehran retains enough assets to threaten regional security, and the conflict has caused divisions within the MAGA coalition and drawn criticism from both Democrats and some conservative Republicans.
• The temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under the ceasefire has helped ease global energy prices and inflation concerns in the U.S., though economic impacts from the war, estimated at $132 billion, will take time to fully resolve.
• The ceasefire has strained U.S.-Israel relations, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu opposing parts of the agreement and continuing regional tensions, as Israel's key objectives in the conflict remain unfulfilled.
• The future of Iran's nuclear program remains uncertain, with conflicting reports on Iran's willingness to allow UN inspections, and the issue is not explicitly addressed in the ceasefire, leaving critical negotiations ongoing.