Trump administration estimates Iran war cost over $11 billion in 6 days, source says

Officials from President Donald Trump's administration estimated during a congressional briefing this week that the first six days of the war on Iran had cost the U.S. at least $11.3 billion, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

That figure, from a closed-door briefing for senators on Tuesday, did not include the entire cost of the war, but was provided to lawmakers as they demanded more information.

Several congressional aides have said they expect the White House to soon submit a request to Congress for additional funding for the war. Some officials have said the request could be for $50 billion, while others dub that estimate too low.

The administration has not provided a public assessment of the cost of the war or a clear idea of its expected duration. Trump said during a trip to Kentucky on Wednesday that "we won" the war but that the United States will stay in the fight to finish the job.

The $11.3 billion figure was first reported on Wednesday by the New York Times.

The campaign against Iran began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes and has so far killed around 2,000 people, mostly Iranians and Lebanese, as the conflict has spread into Lebanon and thrown global energy markets and transport into chaos.

Administration officials have also told lawmakers that $5.6 billion of munitions were used during the first two days of strikes.

Members of Congress, who may soon have to approve additional funding for the war, have expressed concern that the conflict will deplete U.S. military stocks at a time when the defense industry is already struggling to keep up with demand.

Trump met executives from seven defense contractors last week as the Pentagon worked to replenish supplies.

Democratic lawmakers have demanded public testimony under oath from administration officials about the Republican president's plans for the war, including how long it might last and what his plans are for Iran once the fighting has stopped.