• Source:JND
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A newly released Pentagon budget document has revealed that the United States spent nearly USD 636 million during its coordinated strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this year, part of an operation carried out in support of Israel.

The document, accessed and reported by defence outlet The War Zone and cited by Anadolu Agency, shows the expenditure included the replacement of advanced bombs, cruise missiles, and interceptor systems used during the two-week conflict in June.

Cost Breakdown of Operation Midnight Hammer

The US operation, codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer, featured a vast strike package of 125 aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, F-22 Raptors, F-35s, and dozens of tankers.

The B-2s dropped 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) on Iran’s fortified nuclear sites at Fordow and Natanz. At the same time, a US submarine, likely the USS Georgia, launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Isfahan complex. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the US used “decoys” and “high-speed suppression weapons” to disable Iranian air defences before the bombers moved in.

The Pentagon document puts the replacement costs as follows:

• USD 123 million – to replace 14 GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs)

• USD 2.3 million – for GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs)

• USD 3.3 million – for APKWS II precision-guided rockets

• USD 9.9 million – for temporary lodging and support of US personnel

• USD 498.3 million – for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors used to protect Israel

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The biggest single cost in the USD 636 million tally came not from the strike itself but from defending Israel during Iran’s retaliation. Reports cited by CNN suggested the US may have fired between 100 and 150 interceptors during the war, almost a quarter of America’s active stockpile.

Conflict Timeline

The series of strikes began on June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military command centres. Iranian state media reported the death of senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.

 ALSO READ: No Bunker-Busters For Isfahan: Why US Didn’t Use Its Biggest Bomb On Iran’s Deepest Nuclear Site? Trump Official Reveals

Iran responded with hundreds of missiles aimed at Israeli cities. Most were intercepted with US help. On June 22, the US conducted Operation Midnight Hammer, striking Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan with bunker-busting bombs and guided missiles. A ceasefire was reached on June 24, following US-brokered talks. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed heavy damage to Iranian sites but said there was no radiation leak.