US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers that the war with Iran has cost an estimated 37.5 billion US dollars so far. He revealed the figure during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on President Donald Trump's request for supplemental funding.
The Trump administration is seeking nearly 88 billion US dollars in emergency funding amid renewed tensions and military operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth said the estimate includes costs already incurred, along with projected spending on military pay, operations, and maintenance through September 30.
He warned that military training exercises could be scaled back if Congress does not approve the additional funding. Hegseth also said the US military is grappling with years of deferred maintenance and depleted weapons stockpiles.
Democratic lawmakers questioned the need for additional funds, noting that the Pentagon still has around 75 billion US dollars in unobligated funds from a previous spending package. The hearing also highlighted sharp disagreements over the administration's legal authority to continue military operations.
