Costs of Iran War Mount as Taiwan Faces Tough Choices

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that the ongoing military campaign against Iran will end soon because there are few military targets left to hit, but the staggering financial cost of the conflict is raising alarms in Taiwan over potential economic and military repercussions for the island.

Speaking to American media, Trump asserted firm control over the timeline of the conflict, which began late last month with large-scale joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.

"Any time I want it to end, it will end," the president said.

Despite Trump's optimism, the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, and the financial toll of the operation is mounting rapidly.

The Staggering Cost of War

According to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, the U.S. expended $5.6 billion on precision-guided munitions alone during the initial phase of the airstrikes. Total military expenditures reportedly exceeded $11 billion in the first six days of operations—a figure that does not account for preparatory and logistical costs. （Related： Former Pentagon Official Warns Taiwan’s Legislative Gridlock Threatens US Arms Sales ｜ Latest ）

With spending far exceeding initial projections, as reported by The New York Times, the White House is expected to request a supplemental budget from Congress. The rapid cash burn has prompted concern among Democratic lawmakers, who warn that fighting without clearly defined objectives risks severely depleting both U.S. weapons stockpiles and fiscal resources.

A 'Bottomless Pit' With Global Consequences

The financial strain on Washington has caught the attention of geopolitical observers in Taiwan, who worry the island will be caught in the economic and strategic crossfire.

On Thursday, a prominent Taiwanese political commentator published a Facebook post arguing that the U.S.-Iran war has evolved into a financial contest.

While Iran relies heavily on its oil revenues, the U.S. has a global network of allies to lean on. With Washington burning through roughly NT$180 billion (approximately $5.5 billion) every two days—a rate the commentator likened to a "bottomless pit"—it is inevitable that the U.S. will look to partners like Taiwan to contribute financially through accelerated arms purchases.

However, the commentator warned that simply "pitching in" carries severe risks for Taiwan.

Contributing to the war effort could inadvertently prolong the conflict, keeping the Strait of Hormuz and key international shipping lanes blocked. This would devastate Taiwan's import-reliant energy sector, raising serious doubts about whether the island could keep its power grid running during a prolonged Middle East crisis.

If global defense resources are increasingly concentrated on the Middle East front lines, U.S. weapons production and inventories will also be diverted. This means Taiwan's already-delayed arms deliveries could face even longer wait times, even if Taipei pays up front.

Most alarmingly, China is closely watching the U.S. deplete its arsenal and bog down three carrier strike groups against what the writer called a "mid-tier regional power." This perceived overextension could dangerously alter Beijing's strategic calculations regarding a potential invasion of Taiwan.

（Related： Former Pentagon Official Warns Taiwan’s Legislative Gridlock Threatens US Arms Sales ｜ Latest ）