2 min readUpdated: Apr 30, 2026 10:57 AM ISTA thick plume of smoke rises from an oil storage facility hit by a U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/File)A Pentagon official Wednesday said the The United States’ war on Iran has cost $25 billion so far. This is the first official estimate of the military’s price tag for Middle East conflict, reported news agecny ReutersEarlier in an estimate of the war costs, the United Nations’ humanitarian agency has flagged that the funding could have saved 87 million lives if allocated as humanitarian aid.“For every day of this conflict, $2bn is being spent. My entire target for a hyper-prioritised plan to save 87 million lives is $23bn. We could have funded that in less than a fortnight of this reckless war. Now, of course, we cannot,” The Guardian quoted Fletcher as saying.Speaking at Chatham House in London, Tom Fletcher, the head of the UN’s humanitarian agency, had predicted that, with food and fuel inflation inching closer to 20%, the world would feel the impact for years, pushing more people in sub-Saharan Africa and east Africa into poverty.Just six months left to go before the US’s midterm elections in which President Donald Trump’s Republicans may face an uphill task to maintain a majority in the House, Democrats are gaining traction in the public opinion polls as they attempt to link the heavily cricised Iran war with affordability.The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:donald trumpAdvertisementLoading Recommendations...Live BlogCISCE.org ICSE 10th, ISC 12th Result 2026 LIVE Updates: Download marksheet at 11 am2 minutes agoAP SSC Class 10th Results 2026, Results.bse.ap.gov.in Live Updates: Lokesh Nara to declare SSC pass percentage4 minutes agoBse.ap.gov.in, AP SSC 10th Class Results 2026 LIVE Updates: SSC public exam results at 11 am5 minutes agoBhoot Bangla Box Office Collection Day 13 Live Updates: Akshay Kumar-starrer earns Rs 200 crore, but can’t surpass Housefull 516 minutes agoTamil Nadu Election Exit Poll Results 2026 LIVE Updates: ‘TVK drawing votes at the expense of AIADMK,’ says DMK29 minutes ago