The true cost of the Iran war is billions more than the Pentagon says — and we’re paying for it

The opinion piece argues that the reported Pentagon cost of the Iran war ($29 billion) is a dramatic undercount and that more realistic estimates (about $72 billion through 60 days) imply much larger fiscal consequences. The author says higher spending financed by debt will raise interest costs and contribute to higher inflation, pushing up prices for gasoline, food and essentials and worsening consumers’ real incomes. Real average hourly earnings fell 0.5% last month, credit-card debt remains near record levels and delinquencies are rising — all of which could weigh on consumption and market sentiment. The piece frames the conflict as a negative for the economy and markets, supporting safe-haven demand for gold (XAUUSD).