US war costs hit $6B in first week of Iran conflict
Pentagon officials have informed Congress that the United States spent approximately $6 billion during the first week of the military conflict with Iran, The New York Times reports.
Following President Donald Trump’s demand for Iran’s "unconditional surrender," American defense officials are preparing for a campaign that could last several weeks. The administration remains divided, as White House representatives suggest the President could pivot quickly to declare an early victory.
In response, Tehran has launched a high-stakes attrition strategy. Iranian officials expressed confidence in their ability to withstand aerial bombardments, believing that the U.S. and Israel will eventually lose the political will to sustain the war.
To formalize this defiance, Iran has activated "Operation Madman," a doctrine designed to maximize the economic and political costs for its adversaries. Six Iranian sources stated that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei ordered the plan following the 12-day conflict in June 2025.
The strategy aims to expand the theater of operations across the Middle East. It also establishes a four-tier succession protocol for military and government leaders to ensure no institutional power vacuum occurs during the conflict.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
