Washington, JurnalPost.com — The United States' war with Iran is beginning to show a significant impact on Washington's military capabilities. A recent report from a US government oversight body reveals that the conflict has not only drained tens of billions of dollars from the budget but has also strained stockpiles of advanced weaponry and caused damage to US military bases, aircraft, drones, and diplomatic facilities across the Middle East.
The first report on Operation Epic Fury was released by the Office of Inspector General on September 14, 2026. The document serves as the first official oversight report regarding US operations related to the Iran war and covers developments through June 30, 2026.
One finding of particular concern is the pressure on the United States' strategic ammunition stockpiles. The prolonged conflict has reportedly depleted high-tech weaponry while exposing the limited capacity of the defense industrial base to replace the munitions used.
The war with Iran has led to shortages in strategic stockpiles and highlighted bottlenecks in the industrial base in replenishing ammunition.
This condition is concerning because several types of precision weaponry require lengthy production processes. Another report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) even estimates that replenishing certain long-range precision missile stocks could take years. The Pentagon, meanwhile, maintains that US military readiness remains intact.
Hundreds of Buildings at US Bases Affected
Damage resulting from Iranian attacks is also reported to have spread across the network of US military bases in the Middle East.
Attacks on US facilities reportedly damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and other structures at American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan.
The immense pressure on facilities in the region has even forced the US military to adjust some of its logistics routes and utilize more distant locations to support its operations.
Aircraft and unmanned aerial systems have also been affected. The Associated Press, citing the oversight report, noted that up to approximately 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones and seven KC-135 refueling aircraft were among the assets damaged or lost during the conflict.
These losses are significant given that the MQ-9 is one of the US military's primary platforms for surveillance and long-range strike operations.
War Costs Reach Tens of Billions of Dollars
The impact of the war is also being felt in the United States government budget.
Pete Hegseth previously informed Congress that the cost of the Iran war had reached approximately 37.5 billion US dollars by the end of July 2026.
The latest calculations from the Congressional Budget Office then estimated that US Department of Defense expenditures related to the war had exceeded 38 billion US dollars as of August 1, 2026. If the conflict continues at the same intensity, additional costs are expected to reach approximately 3 billion US dollars each month.
These figures primarily relate to the use and replacement of ammunition, military equipment, and operational costs. The value does not fully reflect long-term consequences such as personnel care or various other expenditures following the conflict.
US Diplomatic Facilities Also Damaged
Damage was not limited to military facilities.
A number of United States diplomatic offices and complexes in the Middle East were also targeted or affected by attacks during the war.
US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were among those that sustained the heaviest damage.
The value of physical damage to these diplomatic facilities is estimated to reach 184 million US dollars. The US government has also had to incur significant costs for emergency responses and the evacuation of citizens and personnel from the affected regions.
Approximately 9,000 American citizens are reported to have been evacuated from several affected areas through a combination of flights, land travel, and sea routes.
The report provides a more detailed picture of the consequences of the war, which had previously been seen mostly through airstrikes and battlefield developments.
Pressure on US Military Readiness
The issue of weapon stockpiles has become an aspect now under scrutiny because the Iran conflict is occurring while the United States is also maintaining its military commitments in several other regions.
The use of large quantities of missiles, air defense systems, drones, and precision munitions can create new procurement needs that cannot always be met quickly.
The Pentagon oversight report assesses that this condition reveals problems in the capacity of the US defense industry to replace weaponry at a speed commensurate with its usage during the war.
Nevertheless, the government and the Pentagon continue to state that the United States military has the capability to carry out its operations.
The US-Iran war entered its seventh month in September 2026. In addition to impacting the militaries of both sides, the conflict has disrupted trade and energy shipments in the Gulf region, including around the Strait of Hormuz, and has placed pressure on global energy prices.
The Operation Epic Fury report serves as one of the most detailed official assessments to date regarding the impact of the conflict on the United States. Beyond showing the scale of the financial cost, the report demonstrates that the war has also placed pressure on Washington's weapon stockpiles, military infrastructure, air assets, and diplomatic networks in the Middle East.
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