U.S.-Iran War Costs $265 Billion as Midterms Approach

The United States continues a costly military conflict with Iran that has resulted in significant hardware losses and civilian casualties. A Congressional Research Service report confirms that 81 U.S. military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed, while the United States Department of War has increased the official U.S. casualty count to 21.

Donald Trump faces mounting domestic pressure as the war's economic toll reaches an estimated $265 billion for U.S. consumers, according to Moody's Analytics. The administration is also facing allegations of war crimes following a February 28 strike on a Minjab school that killed at least 156 people, including 120 children. Additionally, Representative Jason Crow is demanding an explanation for a separate airstrike that killed at least five people at a wedding.

Public support for the attacks has dropped to 34%, according to Pew Research Center polling. With November midterm elections approaching, Democratic candidates are using the conflict and rising fuel prices to challenge Republican incumbents. Some analysts suggest the GOP could face an electoral loss comparable to the 2006 midterms.