WASHINGTON: The United States has spent $37.5 billion on its ongoing military campaign against Iran, with the figure covering operational expenses incurred so far as well as projected costs through September 30, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Appearing before Congress for the first time since the escalation of hostilities, Hegseth urged lawmakers to approve emergency funding for the conflict, warning that failure to do so would disrupt military training, maintenance, and future defence capabilities.
The latest estimate marks a sharp rise in the cost of the war. A Reuters source had earlier indicated that the first six days of the conflict alone cost at least $11.3 billion. However, the Pentagon did not explain how it calculated the updated $37.5 billion figure.
President Donald Trump last month requested nearly $90 billion in supplemental funding from Congress, with most of the allocation intended to support military operations against Iran. The request has sparked resistance from both Democrats and some Republicans amid growing public concern over the economic impact of the war ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Lawmakers from both parties criticised the administration for failing to adequately brief Congress on the conflict and its long-term objectives.
“The president is threatening escalation and war crimes, and suggesting this could be another forever war,” Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said during the hearing.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also questioned the administration’s shifting messaging on the conflict, saying its statements had been inconsistent regarding the scope and duration of military operations.
Hegseth warned that without immediate funding, the Pentagon would be forced to scale back military training programmes, while the conflict was already placing significant pressure on the Defence Department’s nearly $1 trillion budget.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged that while the military would ensure service members continued to receive their pay, prolonged funding constraints could affect equipment maintenance and investment in future military capabilities.
Hegseth also urged Congress to approve the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027, calling it essential to maintaining US national security.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to intensify after a fragile ceasefire collapsed earlier this month. The Pentagon said the number of US troops killed in the war has risen to 18, while around 430 personnel have been injured.
According to the Pentagon, 100 service members have been wounded since July 7, although 96% have already returned to active duty.
In recent days, President Trump has threatened to expand US strikes to include Iranian energy infrastructure, bridges, Kharg Island’s oil facilities, and the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-linked site. On Tuesday, he said the mountain facility would be targeted “pretty soon.”
By Reuters
