The United States war in Iran has cost an estimated $37.5 billion so far, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday as he appealed for additional funding to sustain military operations.
Hegseth disclosed the figure during a congressional hearing, marking his first appearance before lawmakers since the conflict intensified. He said the estimate includes current war expenses and projected costs through September 30.
The Pentagon did not explain how it calculated the total, though Reuters reported in March that the first six days of the conflict alone were estimated to have cost at least $11.3 billion.
The funding request comes as President Donald Trump seeks nearly $90 billion in supplemental spending, with most of the money earmarked for the Iran conflict.
The request has intensified tensions on Capitol Hill, where both Republicans and Democrats have criticised the administration for failing to clearly define its strategy or keep Congress adequately informed.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray, the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, accused the administration of pursuing an open-ended conflict.
“The president is threatening escalation and war crimes, and suggesting this could be another forever war,” Murray said, referring to Trump’s repeated threats against Iranian infrastructure.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also questioned what she described as inconsistent messaging from the administration.
“It’s either over, or it’s not over. It’s within two weeks, or it’s not. It’s either missiles or it’s not missiles,” she said.
With Republicans holding only narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, the administration is expected to need Democratic support to pass any major spending package.
Hegseth warned lawmakers that without emergency funding, the Pentagon may be forced to scale back military training and delay maintenance and future capability investments.
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine acknowledged that while service members would continue to be paid, prolonged funding shortages could affect equipment maintenance and long-term military readiness.
The defence secretary also urged Congress to approve the Pentagon’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027, arguing that failing to do so would pose a significant national security risk.
The renewed fighting follows the collapse of a fragile ceasefire earlier this month. The conflict has now claimed the lives of 18 U.S. service members, while about 430 troops have been injured.
The Pentagon said 100 personnel have been wounded since July 7, with 96 per cent already returning to active duty.
The war has also become an increasingly contentious political issue ahead of November’s midterm elections, with rising military spending, higher fuel prices and inflation adding pressure on the Trump administration.
