Washington (TDI): The United States has spent $37.5 billion on its military campaign against Iran so far, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday as he sought urgent congressional funding to sustain the conflict.
Appearing before Congress for the first time since the fighting intensified, Hegseth said the figure includes current military expenditures as well as projected costs through September 30. The Pentagon did not explain how the estimate was calculated.
Last month, President Donald Trump asked Congress to approve nearly $90 billion in additional emergency funding, most of it linked to military operations against Iran.
The request faces resistance on Capitol Hill, with both Democrats and some Republicans criticizing the administration for failing to adequately brief lawmakers on the conflict and its long-term objectives.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray accused the administration of risking a prolonged conflict, while Senator Kirsten Gillibrand questioned what she described as inconsistent messaging from the White House regarding the war’s direction, Reuters reported.
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Hegseth warned lawmakers that without additional funding, the Pentagon may be forced to reduce military training and delay maintenance and future capability investments. He also urged Congress to approve the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, arguing that failing to do so would pose a serious threat to US national security.
The renewed fighting began after a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month. Since then, both countries have exchanged daily strikes.
According to the Pentagon, 18 US service members have been killed during the conflict, while around 430 troops have been wounded. Officials said that although 100 personnel were injured after July 7, approximately 96 per cent have already returned to duty.
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Meanwhile, President Trump has indicated that the United States could further expand its military campaign by targeting additional Iranian energy infrastructure and strategic facilities, including the deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-linked site, saying action against the facility could come “pretty soon.”
