[CBO: Iran War Costs the U.S. $38 Billion in 5 Months, Inflation Expected to Rise by 0.5 Percentage Points Early Next Year] Reported by Golden Finance, on September 16, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated that the first five months of the Trump administration's war against Iran have resulted in approximately $38 billion in direct costs to American taxpayers. According to the CBO, these expenditures primarily stem from ammunition consumption and equipment replenishment, increased flight missions, other military operations, and fuel costs. The report estimates that for every additional month of war, the U.S. will incur at least $2 billion to $3 billion in additional costs, and if the conflict escalates, costs could rise further. The CBO also noted that disruptions to oil and gas transportation through the Strait of Hormuz would drive up U.S. inflation levels. It is projected that by early 2027, the inflation indicator closely monitored by the Federal Reserve will be 0.5 percentage points higher than previously forecast, while core PCE inflation will be 0.3 percentage points higher. Additionally, the CBO stated that the war has depleted U.S. ammunition stockpiles, with some inventories potentially requiring over five years to replenish, which could weaken the U.S.'s ability to respond to other major conflicts. The report highlighted that if a future conflict arises requiring substantial missile and ammunition reserves, the U.S. defense production capacity and inventory replenishment speed could face significant pressure.