South Dakotans feel the cost of war with Iran: How much will we pay?
Numbers can tell a story. In this case, a grim one.
$25 billion. $4 a gallon. Thousands dead.
Those are just some of the figures from the war in the Middle East.
Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III testified at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, April 29. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine also were called to discuss the state of the war against Iran launched by the United States and Iran on Feb. 28.
“Approximately, of this day, we're spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury,” Hurst told Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.
Amazingly, that total is almost assuredly low, perhaps just half the total so far. The Stimson Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan US think tank that analyzes issues related to global peace, estimates $25 billion has been spent on just munitions. Add in operations, equipment, replacements, repairs to bases, maintenance and other expenses and the amount is staggering.
That’s how many Americans feel after experiencing a gut punch at the gas pumps. AAA reports the average price for a gallon of fuel nationwide is over $4.46 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the war. Reports say it’s $4.06 per gallon in South Dakota. It’s likely higher as you read this. (Editor’s note: I paid $4.89 for premium in Murdo yesterday—John Tsitrian)
The Strait of Hormuz, the key to transiting crude and petroleum-based products out of the Persian Gulf, remains a flashpoint between the US and Iran. The war that we were assured would be over soon is still underway, and as long as missiles keep flying, gas will keep going up.
While billions are spent on weapons of war and millions are used to fill tanks, thousands of families are mourning losses. It’s impossible to get an accurate count of the toll, but estimates run between 6,000 and nearly 9,000 killed, including hundreds of civilians.
Reports state that at least 13 American service members — some claim 14 — have been killed, and another 380 wounded or injured. Two of the dead were from Iowa.
The amount spent and the number of people killed will sure rise. Fuel prices here and across the globe may well increase as well.
Political pressures may put an end to this war. Polls show two-thirds of Americans are opposed to it, with that same figure unhappy with President Trump’s job performance now. With the midterm elections and control of Congress looming, expect Trump to try something to end the war and lower gas prices.
Will he succeed? How many more people will die? How many more billions will be spent? How much will we pay for fuel with the summer months arriving soon, with people eager to get on the road?
Those are numbers we don’t know yet, but they are likely to be painful totals.
Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states for four decades. He has contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Do not republish without permission.
Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons
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