War in Iran has cost the US $37.5b so far, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON: The United States war in Iran has cost $37.5b so far, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, as he faced lawmakers for the first time since heavy bombardments resumed to request urgent funding for the conflict.

Appearing before a Congressional hearing, Hegseth said the $37.5b figure covered specific aspects of the conflict alongside anticipated expenditures through September 30. It remains unclear how the Department of Defence calculated the total, though sources previously indicated that the first six days of the conflict alone cost an estimated $11.3b.

The funding appeal comes six months ahead of midterm elections in which President Donald Trump’s Republican Party faces a difficult battle to retain its narrow majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Opposition Democrats have sought to link the conflict with domestic affordability concerns.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have expressed frustration over a lack of information regarding operational plans since joint US and Israeli strikes against Iran commenced on February 28.

Congressional pushback and budget strain

President Trump asked Congress last month for nearly $90b in supplementary funding, primarily designated for the Iran conflict. Because Republican majorities remain slim, the administration requires Democratic support to pass appropriations measures.

During the hearing, Hegseth urged lawmakers to approve both the emergency request and a broader $1.5tr defence budget for 2027, describing any failure to fund the department at that level as “the greatest threat that our nation faces.”

“The president is threatening escalation and war crimes, and suggesting this could be another forever war,” said Senator Patty Murray, the senior Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, referencing threats made against Iranian civilian infrastructure.

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also criticised the administration’s shifting statements regarding the timeline and scope of military operations.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that the war has placed significant pressure on the Pentagon’s nearly $1tr annual budget. While confirming that service members would continue to receive pay, Caine warned that the department could face challenges regarding equipment maintenance and long-term investments.

Casualty numbers and escalation risks

The hearing took place following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire earlier this month, which resulted in daily reciprocal strikes between US forces and Iranian targets.

According to Pentagon figures, 18 US troops have been killed and approximately 430 injured since the conflict began. While 100 service members sustained injuries since July 7, official reports indicate that 96 per cent have since returned to active duty.

In recent days, President Trump has threatened to expand military targets to include energy plants, bridges, and Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal, as well as deployment of ground troops. He has also targeted a deep-underground nuclear-linked facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, stating on Tuesday that US forces would strike the site “pretty soon.”