WASHINGTON

US Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the cost of Washington’s ongoing military strikes on Iran, saying the funds could have been used for domestic programs.

In a post on US social media company X, Sanders said the war in Iran has already cost $22.8 billion.

“For $22.8 billion, we could provide Medicaid to 6.8 million kids, build 2.6 million public housing units, fund Head Start for 1.3 million, hire 240,000 teachers, and cancel $20,000 in student debt for 1 million borrowers,” he said.

Sanders called for prioritizing public services over military spending, as regional tensions escalate.

Israel and the US have continued joint attacks on Iran since Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many other senior political and military figures.

⁠Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.