The total cost of the U.S. military conflict with Iran has surpassed $47 billion, marking an increase of more than 25% over Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s July estimate of $37.5 billion.

US-Iran war: Latest figure 25% above Pentagon's July estimate of $37 billion

Tehran and the IRGC have issued a chilling warning to Washington. 
Any renewed strike on Iranian underground nuclear sites will trigger equal retaliation, including the severance of critical undersea fibre cables running through the Gulf. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has landed in Tehran pushing a plan to take enriched uranium into Russian custody.

Iran warns US attack could trigger global internet blackout 

Iran’s newly appointed Defence Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi has threatened to inflict “enormous damage” on the United States and its allies across West Asia if Washington resumes military action against Tehran. The warning, issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026, signals a potential escalation as tensions between Iran and the US remain high.

Iran's newly appointed defence minister threatens Washington

Iran reportedly fears an imminent U.S. attack and is eyeing a large-scale retaliation. According to a report, Tehran is threatening to target vital bridges in seven west Asian nations including Israel.

Iran threatens to hit key bridges in 7 countries if US resumes strikes

The United States is looking to replenish its missile stockpiles while developing new weapons, including hypersonic missiles. Defence expert Mark Cancian says the US will need a three-tier missile arsenal, ranging from low-cost weapons to advanced systems such as Patriot interceptors and hypersonic missiles, which can travel at more than five times the speed of sound and manoeuvre during flight.

US-Iran war: Pentagon pushes hypersonic weapons production

US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on resuming major combat operations against Iran, but the Pentagon has reportedly been ordered to prepare for possible fresh strikes. According to Axios, US Central Command has been instructed to complete preparations, with US and Israeli officials saying renewed operations could come before the November US midterm elections.


US-Iran war: Possible renewed military action between Iran and US is raising concerns 

US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on resuming major combat operations against Iran, but the Pentagon has reportedly been ordered to prepare for possible fresh strikes. According to Axios, US Central Command has been instructed to complete preparations, with US and Israeli officials saying renewed operations could come before the November US midterm elections.

Report: US puts military in ready mode for possible new strikes

According to the U.S. Congressional research service, at least 81 American aircraft, drones and helicopters have been damaged or destroyed during the Iran war. The cost of replacing damaged equipment has been pegged at up to $3.3 billion.

Iran bleeds American military: 81 aircraft lost, ships hit & bombers pulled | Gravitas

As the November 3 midterms approach, President Donald Trump and senior officials are portraying the Iran war as nearing its final stage, with fighting expected to end after the US vote. The administration also predicts a subsequent decline in global oil prices.

Trump administration's collective message over Iran as midterm approaches | Race To Power

US President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to a career-low 32% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, down from 35% the previous week. The poll found growing dissatisfaction with his handling of the cost of living and the Iran war, with the findings coming weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.

Donald Trump's approval hits new low a month ahead of midterm elections 

Crude oil exports from key Middle Eastern producers are set to rebound to 12.8 million barrels per day in September, the highest since the war with Iran began in February, Kpler data showed. Exports through the Strait of Hormuz are also expected to reach about 7.4 million barrels per day as Saudi Arabia and the UAE boost shipments.

Gulf oil exports hit 12.8 million BPD in September

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week, according to unnamed U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The reported rejection came hours after Tehran unveiled its seven-day roadmap and days after Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran at the UN General Assembly.

US-Iran war: Trump reportedly rejects Iran's 7-day ceasefire proposal 

Although Iran has proposed a 7-day plan to end the war, it is also flexing its strength. Thousands of Iranians took part in a mass drill in Iran's Kerman province. Similarly, a massive motorcycle rally was held in Tehran.

Iran flexes muscle with mass mobilisation campaign, vows to resist US

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallied in Tehran on Friday in a government-organised show of defiance amid the ongoing war with the US and Israel. Volunteers pledged readiness to defend Iran and receive military training, while the rally also featured weapons, drones and anti-aircraft systems.

Iran mobilises volunteers as war pressure grows

A UN fact-finding mission says there are reasonable grounds to believe the U.S. committed war crimes in two strikes on Iran, including the attack on a school in Minab. The strike killed more than 150 people, including around 120 children, according to the UN mission.

US-Iran war: Minab school strike killed more than 150 people, UN says

Brent crude oil prices surged above $100 a barrel on September 9, hitting a six-week high as escalating conflict in West Asia fuels fears of supply disruptions and wider pressure on global energy markets.

Oil prices surge as fighting intensifies across west asia

The tensions in west asia have skyrocketed after Iran and U.S. hit tankers in the biggest wave of attacks on shipping since the war began. The IRGC says it attacked 10 ships while the U.S. military says it destroyed 5 Iranian oil tankers. Iran also fired on the U.S. base in Jordan

US-Iran war: Iran attacks 10 ships, hits Jordan base after US sinks 5 Iranian oil tankers

The U.S. has attacked five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and near Kharg Island, accusing Iran of targeting a U.S. warship with ballistic missiles. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on U.S. forces at Jordan’s Al Azraq base and claimed further attacks on U.S. vessels and tankers.

US-Iran war: Iran warns it will hit US bases if its oil tankers are attacked

The U.S. military has disabled advertising IDs on government-issued phones and computers after reports that commercially available location data was being used to track and target American troops in the Middle East. The move aims to block one source of location intelligence, though lawmakers warn other tracking methods and personal devices could still pose risks.

US military disables advertising IDs on devices 

Save the Children says soaring costs linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict have forced it to spend more on delivering humanitarian aid while reaching fewer children. The charity estimates the added burden has already reached $13 million, money it says could have helped an additional 1.5 million children.

Global aid spending fell 23% in real terms last year

Iran has accused the US of a war crime after officials said a missile strike killed four people, including two children, at a wedding celebration in southern Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent said missile shrapnel struck the family gathering, while the US military said it “never targets civilians” and was aware of the reports.

Iranian authorities also reported 14 other deaths as tensions escalated. Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting US positions in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq and Bahrain.

US-Iran war: US strike on wedding kills four, wounds nearly 70

US-Iran war: Iran claims to target US Bases after alleged wedding strike

After a month-long lull in the West Asia war, fighting resumed once again as U.S. forces struck the Larak island. This triggered an immediate retaliation by Iran on U.S. bases in Jordan and UAE.

US-Iran war: Iran punishes Jordan & UAE for American strike on Larak island

Iran has warned that any further U.S. military strikes or aggressive actions will be met with a decisive and severe response.

Iran warns of disproportionate response if US carries out further attacks

Six months into the Iran war, the economic fallout is still being felt across the world. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have put pressure on global oil markets, food and fertilizer supply chains and borrowing costs, with higher energy and transport costs adding to inflation risks.

Iran war drives fuel, food and borrowing costs higher 

Iran says it launched attacks targeting US military positions in Jordan and the Al Minhad airbase in the UAE, following US strikes on two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island. The UAE Defence Ministry has rejected Iran’s claim that Al Minhad Air Base was targeted. The latest developments come amid heightened tensions between Iran, the US and regional allies.

US-Iran war: Jordan intercepts eight retaliatory Iranian missiles

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has hit back at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s claim involving 130 million barrels, presenting what he called Washington’s “real 130s.” Ghalibaf cited estimates of more than $130 billion in costs to US households from the Iran war, claimed Jane Street lost over $130 million shorting oil, and pointed to rising US Treasury yields.

US-Iran war: Iranian top official dismisses Washington's oil flow claim

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran’s foreign trade has plunged by 25% to 35%, blaming US sanctions and a naval blockade of Iranian ports for the sharp decline.

US-Iran war: April ceasefire, June MoU yield no final peace deal 

Iran has announced the discovery of more than 200 billion cubic metres of natural gas in southern Fars province, months into a Middle East war that has damaged the country’s energy infrastructure. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said more than 160 billion cubic metres could be recoverable, with the field potentially producing around 280 million cubic metres of gas per day for 15 years.

7.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas discovered in Iran amid war & sanctions 

Regional tensions reach a boiling point as Tehran issues a direct threat to target American economic interests and commercial assets across the Middle East. With military posturing intensifying and shipping lanes under heightened scrutiny, the risk of a broader conflict between the US and Iran has escalated significantly.


US-Iran war: Tehran threatens to target American economic interests 

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced what he called the “most crushing economic operation ever” against Iran, warning of severe consequences for any country helping Tehran economically. The move comes amid continuing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, where Trump insists shipping is moving and “lots of boats” are crossing despite ongoing disputes over access and security in the vital waterway. The latest escalation signals a shift from military pressure to economic warfare.

US-Iran war: US treasury chief vows to squash Iran's economy 

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