TEHRAN, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday that the war against Iran has cost the United States 100 billion U.S. dollars so far.
He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X while rejecting a Wednesday claim by the Pentagon that the cost of the ongoing U.S. war against Iran is estimated to be 25 billion U.S. dollars.
Araghchi said, "The Pentagon is lying. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's gamble has directly cost America 100 billion dollars so far, four times what is claimed."
He added the war's indirect costs for U.S. taxpayers are far higher, noting, "Monthly bill for each American household is 500 dollars and rising fast."
Araghchi once again stressed that the U.S. government is prioritizing Israel's interests over those of the American people, saying, "Israel First always means America Last."
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East.
A ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8, followed by lengthy peace talks in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to lead to an agreement. ■
