US Iran War Cost Estimated at $37.5 Billion
The United States’ military campaign against Iran is estimated to cost $37.5 billion through the end of September, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The figure was presented as the Pentagon sought billions of dollars in additional funding from Congress.
Iran War Cost Reaches $37.5 Billion
Hegseth disclosed the estimate during testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee. The calculation includes expenditure already incurred and projected military personnel, operations and maintenance costs through September 30, the end of the current US fiscal year.
The estimate represents a sharp increase from the Pentagon’s previous projection of approximately $29 billion in May. It may not include all future expenses associated with rebuilding damaged American bases or replenishing weapons used during the conflict.
Pentagon Seeks Additional War Funding
The Pentagon is requesting approximately $67.1 billion in supplemental funding for the Iran conflict and other defence priorities. Around $32.7 billion would directly support continuing military operations.
The wider request includes funds for munitions, operational costs, classified programmes, cybersecurity, drones, fuel and military readiness. Hegseth warned that the armed forces could face shortages without an urgent financial injection.
Some senators questioned why additional funding was required when the Pentagon still had billions of dollars available from earlier congressional allocations.
Lawmakers Question US Iran Strategy
Democratic and Republican lawmakers pressed Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine for greater clarity on the administration’s military objectives, long-term strategy and authority to continue the conflict.
The war began in late February and intensified after an interim ceasefire collapsed. American and Iranian forces have continued exchanging strikes, while tensions over commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have increased.
The United States has reported military deaths and hundreds of injuries during the conflict. Continued operations could push the eventual cost substantially above the current estimate.
