The 25 billion dollars spent by the United States on the war in Iran so far could fully fund humanitarian relief for 87 million people worldwide, according to a top United Nations (UN) official.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said on Thursday that the U.S. Department of Defense's reported expenditure matches the entire funding needed for the UN's 2026 global humanitarian plan.
The UN aims to raise 23 billion U.S. dollars for humanitarian assistance by the end of 2026, yet has received only 28 percent of the needed funds so far.
According to U.S. media reports, the actual cost of the U.S. war in Iran is likely much higher than 25 billion dollars. One source said the real cost estimate is closer to 40-50 billion U.S. dollars "when accounting for the costs of rebuilding U.S. military installations and replacing destroyed assets".
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the "Pentagon is lying" about the cost of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran launched on February 28.
In a post on X, Araghchi said that "Netanyahu's gamble has directly cost America 100 billion U.S. dollars so far, four times what is claimed".
"Indirect costs for U.S. taxpayers are far higher. Monthly bill for each American household is 500 U.S. dollars and rising fast," he noted, adding "Israel First always means America Last".
US spending on war in Iran could aid 87 mln people: UN
China's latest medical science and technology is drawing attention for its role in reshaping patient care from diagnosis to surgery and to rehabilitation at the ongoing third phase of the 139th China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province.
The five-day segment of the world's largest trade fair opened on Friday, showcasing frontier achievements in fields such as smart healthcare, functional textiles, and green materials, with an exhibition area of 515,000 square meters and 25,000 booths. Walking through the exhibition, visitors see that medical innovation is no longer confined to technical parameters. It is being designed to accompany patients through every stage of treatment.
In the exhibition hall, surgical robots allow doctors to operate with clear 3D vision and flexible wrist-like instruments, while requiring only minimal network support.
According to exhibitors, in some cases, a simple mobile connection is enough to keep the system running. This lowers deployment thresholds and makes advanced surgery more accessible.
Earlier this year, one such robot enabled a doctor in Chengdu, capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan, to complete a gastric surgery for a patient in Brazil, spanning half the globe.
High-tech rehabilitation devices are emerging among the most engaging exhibits.
Mobile robots capable of navigating stairs and slopes, along with brain-machine interface exoskeletons that help stroke patients regain mobility, show how innovation is being applied to everyday needs.
These practical devices have attracted strong interest from international buyers, especially those from the United States, Europe and Mexico.
Artificial intelligence is extending its role in medical imaging.
In the exhibition, large-scale models on display can analyze X-rays and CT scans to detect conditions ranging from kidney stones to cardiovascular blockages.
Exhibitors say the technology can help transfer the expertise of senior doctors from top-tier hospitals to community clinics, helping improve access to quality healthcare nationwide.
Since June last year, the system has already been used in multiple hospitals, which can help find problems in 32 human organs and produce 92 auxiliary models to support doctors in screening and diagnosis, according to exhibitors.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China, and has been hailed as the barometer of the country's foreign trade.
The first phase of the 139th edition of the Canton Fair ran from April 15 to 19, followed by the second phase from April 23 to 27.
Smart healthcare highlights innovation at Canton Fair
