by Our Correspondent in Washington DC
President Donald Trump is facing intense pressure from advisers to outline a clear exit strategy from the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran, even as officials attempt to portray the conflict as largely successful. Sources close to the president say discussions in Washington are increasingly focused on declaring military objectives met and planning a controlled withdrawal before economic and political costs escalate further.
The financial toll of the first two days of strikes has already reached nearly $5.6 billion, according to three U.S. officials, highlighting growing concern on Capitol Hill about the rapid depletion of America’s most advanced weapons. The Pentagon’s expenditure included hundreds of precision weapons, interceptors, and Tomahawk cruise missiles, striking more than 5,000 targets across Iran. Analysts warn that continued reliance on such munitions could erode the U.S. military’s readiness, especially as assets are redirected from other theaters, including the Indo-Pacific.
Officials say the military is now shifting to more abundant laser-guided bombs to sustain operations, a move that could reduce the per-strike cost from millions to under $100,000. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is moving parts of its THAAD and Patriot missile systems from other regions to bolster defenses in the Middle East amid fears of intensified Iranian retaliatory attacks. Some American F-15 jets have been lost to friendly-fire incidents, and seven U.S. service members have died, including six in a drone strike in Kuwait.
The human cost extends to the diplomatic corps. More U.S. diplomats have been ordered to leave Middle Eastern posts, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, amid ongoing threats from Iranian attacks. Overland evacuation plans are underway for staff in Iraq, and security incidents have occurred at U.S. consulates as far afield as Pakistan and Norway. State Department officials report that embassy buildings, including the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, have sustained significant damage, with some sections potentially unusable for months.
The conflict has triggered a global economic shock. Oil prices spiked to nearly $120 per barrel, lifting U.S. gas prices to an average of $3.48 per gallon and sending diesel past $4.66. The disruption of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly one-fifth of global oil supply, is a key driver of the price surge. The Group of Seven nations failed to agree on emergency measures, leaving markets and consumers exposed to further volatility. Analysts warn that diesel and shipping costs could cascade through the economy, raising prices for consumer goods and agricultural products.
President Trump has dismissed concerns over the economic fallout, framing high oil prices as “a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” while exploring measures such as government-backed insurance for tankers and easing some Russian oil sanctions. Despite these efforts, experts caution that a protracted Iran conflict could overwhelm temporary measures, with the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve able to cover only a fraction of global demand.
The combination of high financial, military, and diplomatic costs has intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of the war. With inventories of precision munitions dwindling, U.S. personnel at risk, and energy markets unsettled, the administration faces a delicate balancing act between maintaining military pressure and avoiding a prolonged, politically damaging conflict.
