OMB Director Russell Vought declines to estimate Iran war cost, Harvard analyst estimates $1 trillion

When questioned by the House Budget Committee on Apr. 15, White House OMB Director Russell Vought refused to provide a cost estimate for the Iran war. Days later, a Harvard University analyst released research suggesting the conflict could cost up to $1 trillion - well above the Pentagon's preliminary $25 billion estimate - raising concerns about fiscal sustainability. (Harvard, Apr. 18, 2026)