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[INTERNATIONAL] · Iran, United States, Israel · 4 sources

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Abbas Araghchi claims US spent $11 billion on Israel's missile defense

Abbas Araghchi missile defense Israel United States Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has criticized the United States for spending an estimated $11 billion on missile defense for Israel over the past three years. In a post on X, Araghchi characterized the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv as “parasitic” rather than mutually beneficial, alleging that the U.S. has fired more interceptors to defend Israeli territory than Israel itself has.

According to data provided by Araghchi, which cites estimates from U.S. foreign policy analyst Stephen Semler, American forces have launched approximately 609 missile interceptors to defend Israel since October 2023. The figures are reportedly based on Pentagon procurement data, internal reprogramming documents, and open-source intelligence.

The data highlights several major expenditure periods, including a significant window from February 28 to May 21, 2026, where an estimated 310 interceptors—including THAAD, SM-3, and SM-6 systems—were fired at a cost of roughly $5.2 billion. Additionally, during a 12-day conflict in June 2025, the U.S. reportedly fired 235 interceptors at a cost of approximately $4.8 billion. The reported costs exclude interceptors used to protect U.S. forces operating in the region.

Entities

Abbas Araghchi · Iran · Israel · Stephen Semler · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] Between February 28 and May 21, 2026, U.S. forces fired an estimated 310 interceptors at a cost of $5.2 billion. wanaen.com · royanews.tv
  • [● 3 SOURCES] U.S. forces have fired an estimated 609 missile interceptors to defend Israel since October 2023. wanaen.com · royanews.tv · dailytimes.com.pk
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. has fired more missile interceptors to defend Israel than Israel has itself. wanaen.com · royanews.tv · dailytimes.com.pk
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The $11 billion figure excludes interceptors used to protect U.S. forces in the region. wanaen.com
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Abbas Araghchi claims the U.S. spent $11 billion on Israel's missile defense over the last three years. wanaen.com · royanews.tv · dailytimes.com.pk
  • [● 2 SOURCES] During a 12-day war in June 2025, the U.S. fired an estimated 235 interceptors costing $4.8 billion. wanaen.com · royanews.tv
  • [● 2 SOURCES] During a 12-day Israeli war against Iran in June 2025, the U.S. fired an estimated 235 interceptors costing around $4.8 billion. wanaen.com · royanews.tv
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. fired an estimated 310 interceptors between February 28 and May 21, 2026, costing approximately $5.2 billion. wanaen.com · royanews.tv
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The reported figures exclude interceptors used to protect U.S. forces operating in the region. wanaen.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The data used by Araghchi is based on Pentagon procurement data and open-source intelligence. wanaen.com · dailytimes.com.pk
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. fired six SM-2 interceptors on October 19, 2023, at an estimated cost of $34.7 million. wanaen.com · royanews.tv
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. fired 10 SM-3 and Patriot interceptors on April 13, 2024, at a cost of approximately $200.6 million. wanaen.com · royanews.tv

Sources

Araghchi: U.S. Has Spent $11 Billion in Taxpayer Money on Missile Defense for Israel [wanaen.com]
Araghchi blasts ‘parasitic’ alliance as US taxpayers pay for Israel’s war on Iran [alethonews.com]
عراقجي: واشنطن أنفقت 11 مليار دولار على الدفاع الصاروخي... [royanews.tv]
Araghchi claims US spent $11 billion defending Israel [dailytimes.com.pk]