Iran FM in China as U.S. puts war cost at $33.4B

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in China for talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as Beijing pushes for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement in the Middle East conflict.

The talks come as the United States counts the mounting cost of the war with Iran.

A U.S. Defense Department report estimates the conflict had cost US$33.4 billion by June 29, with Iranian strikes damaging or destroying hundreds of structures at U.S. bases and dozens of American aircraft.

Four F-15E fighter jets and an A-10 aircraft were destroyed, while an F-35A was damaged by enemy fire. Refuelling aircraft, helicopters and more than 30 drones were also damaged or lost.

The Pentagon also warned that heavy use of munitions has created inventory shortages and exposed bottlenecks in weapons production.

China has maintained close ties with Tehran while calling for an end to the fighting and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.