Operation Epic Fury
Operation Epic Fury: What It Is, Cost & Status
The US code name for the 2026 US–Israeli campaign against Iran — its phases, modeled cost, munitions, casualties, and the contested ceasefire, in one place.
What is Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury is the US military code name for the joint US–Israeli campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. Initial strikes hit Iranian military and nuclear installations and killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, 2026, but the conflict has not formally ended — standby positioning costs continue to accrue and intermittent exchanges have persisted since. MilitarySpend tracks the operation through a phased daily-cost model built on CSIS, Pentagon, and Penn Wharton Budget Model estimates, alongside casualty and ceasefire-status trackers.
All cost figures on this page are modeled estimates drawn from publicly available sources and should be independently verified before citation. The live counter and full methodology live on the US-Iran War cost tracker.
Phases & Timeline
MilitarySpend models the operation in three cost phases. Daily rates fall sharply as the US shifts from expensive stand-off munitions to cheaper gravity bombs and then to ceasefire standby.
Initial strikes
~$1.88B/dayPeak intensity. Heavy stand-off munitions (Tomahawk cruise missiles at ~$3.5M each) and intensive Patriot PAC-3 / SM-3 interceptor use against Iranian drone and ballistic-missile barrages drove spending to a modeled ~$1.88B/day, per a Pentagon briefing to Congress.
Sustained operations
~$500.00M/dayAfter establishing air dominance, the US shifted from expensive cruise missiles to cheaper gravity bombs (JDAMs at ~$80K each), and Iranian launches declined. CSIS senior adviser Mark Cancian estimated an ongoing rate near ~$500M/day.
Ceasefire standby
~$95.00M/daySince the April 8 ceasefire, no munitions have been expended in sustained combat. Costs reflect forward-deployed carrier groups and standby positioning — a modeled ~$95M/day, aligned with CSIS's April 30 "under $100M/day" estimate.
For the full dated event log — opening strikes, the Strait of Hormuz closure, the April 8 ceasefire, and the exchanges since — see the Iran war timeline.
Cost of Operation Epic Fury
Over 146 days, MilitarySpend models the cumulative cost to US taxpayers at roughly $37.95B, using the phased daily-rate model above. The current phase is Ceasefire standby at a modeled ~$95.00M/day. For context, the Pentagon comptroller placed direct war costs at $29B as of May 12, 2026 — a figure that excludes base damage and longer-run economic effects.
trending_upOpen the live cost trackerMunitions
Tomahawk cruise missiles ($3.5M each), JDAMs ($80K each), Patriot PAC-3 and SM-3 interceptors. Largest cost driver — shifted from expensive stand-off weapons to cheaper gravity bombs after Day 4.
Modeled early-phase rate — early phase rate; declined significantly after munitions transition. Specific weapon counts beyond those disclosed in public CSIS and CRS reporting are not estimated here.
Casualties
Official figures place US military deaths at 13–15 (CENTCOM / CRS R48887), with hundreds wounded. Iranian military losses are disputed across a wide range, while Iran International documented 52 senior Iranian officials and commanders killed — including Supreme Leader Khamenei. Civilian and regional tolls, especially in Lebanon, are tracked separately with source flags and confidence ratings.
Ceasefire Status
A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, 2026, and the US extended the cessation of hostilities indefinitely on April 21. Secretary of State Rubio declared the offensive stage "concluded" on May 6, but the truce remains contested: standby costs continue to accrue and intermittent US–Iran exchanges have persisted, so the conflict is officially paused rather than concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury is the US military code name for joint US–Israeli operations against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Initial strikes hit Iranian military and nuclear installations and killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect April 8, 2026.
When did Operation Epic Fury start?
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, when joint US–Israeli strikes hit Iranian military and nuclear installations.
How much has Operation Epic Fury cost?
As of day 146, the modeled total cost to US taxpayers is approximately $37.95B. The estimate uses a phased model: ~$1.88B/day for the first 6 days (Pentagon briefing), ~$500M/day for sustained operations (CSIS), and ~$95M/day during the ceasefire standby since April 8. The Pentagon comptroller placed direct war costs at $29B as of May 12, 2026.
Is Operation Epic Fury over?
Not formally. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, 2026, and the US extended the cessation of hostilities indefinitely on April 21. Secretary of State Rubio declared the offensive stage "concluded" on May 6, but standby costs continue to accrue and intermittent US–Iran exchanges have persisted, so the conflict is officially paused rather than concluded.
What munitions were used in Operation Epic Fury?
Munitions and interceptors were the largest early cost driver. The opening phase relied on Tomahawk cruise missiles (~$3.5M each) and Patriot PAC-3 and SM-3 interceptors against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles. After establishing air dominance around Day 4, the US shifted to cheaper JDAM gravity bombs (~$80K each), sharply reducing the daily munitions rate. These are modeled early-phase figures from CSIS analysis.
How many people have died in Operation Epic Fury?
Official figures place US military deaths at 13–15 (CENTCOM / CRS R48887). Iranian military deaths are disputed across a wide range, and Iran International documented 52 senior Iranian officials and commanders killed, including Supreme Leader Khamenei. Civilian and regional tolls — including Lebanon — are tracked separately. See our Iran War Casualties tracker for the full source-flagged breakdown.
Who is paying for Operation Epic Fury?
US taxpayers fund the operation through the Department of Defense budget. As of June 2026, no supplemental funding request had been passed by Congress; internal estimates of a future ask have ranged from $50B to $200B+.
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