Kirby’s comments mark the first time that a U.S. official has attached a price tag to the U.S. military mission in Iraq since President Obama authorized it to expand Aug. 7. Airstrikes began the following day, and it is now rare for a day to go by without U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, announcing at least one strike.

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Kirby said that $7.5 million average includes the cost of operations in Iraq since mid-June, well in advance of Obama escalating operations there in August. The figure is based on figures through Aug. 26, Kirby said.

“It didn’t start out at $7.5 million per day,” Kirby said. “… As our [operational tempo] and as our activities have intensified, so, too … has the cost. But roughly right now, it’s about $7.5 million per day.”

Kirby’s comments came a day after Obama defended the U.S. mission in Iraq, and current lack of a long-term strategy in defending against Islamic State militants there and neighboring Syria. Developing one will require coordination with partner nations and communication with Congress, he said.

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The militants’ continued advances in Syria, where they seized an air base this week and were seen shooting U.S.-made artillery likely taken in Iraq, has raised questions about whether the United States should strike targets inside Syria. With limited intelligence, however, doing so would be complicated.

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The U.S. military announced Friday that it had conducted four more airstrikes in Iraq, putting the current number since Aug. 8, when they began, at 110. The latest destroyed four militant armed vehicles, damaged a fifth one and destroyed three militant support vehicles, U.S. officials said.