Pentagon Says Cost of Iran War Climbs to $37.5 Billion

The cost of U.S. military operations against Iran has risen to $37.5 billion, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who urged Congress to approve emergency funding to sustain the campaign as political opposition to the conflict grows ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

Speaking during his first congressional hearing since the United States resumed large-scale airstrikes against Iran, Hegseth said the current estimate includes both expenditures already incurred and projected costs through September 30.

The Pentagon has not disclosed a detailed breakdown of the figure. However, a source previously told Reuters that the Trump administration estimated the first six days of the conflict had already cost at least $11.3 billion.

Last month, President Donald Trump requested nearly $90 billion in supplemental funding from Congress, with the majority expected to support ongoing military operations against Iran.

The request is likely to trigger another contentious debate on Capitol Hill as lawmakers from both parties question the financial and strategic direction of the conflict.

Members of both the Republican and Democratic parties have criticized the administration since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28, arguing that Congress has not been adequately informed about military operations or long-term strategic objectives.

Senator Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, accused the administration of escalating the conflict while raising concerns about the possibility of an open-ended military campaign.

She also warned that repeated statements suggesting potential attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure could raise legal concerns under international law.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand criticized what she described as inconsistent messaging from the administration, saying officials have delivered conflicting assessments about the status and duration of the war.

Hegseth warned lawmakers that failure to approve additional funding would force the Pentagon to scale back military training programs and place further pressure on defense spending priorities.

He said the conflict has significantly strained the Pentagon's budget, which is approaching $1 trillion, potentially affecting investments in military personnel and future defense capabilities.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged that while the Department of Defense expects to continue paying service members, prolonged funding constraints could hamper maintenance programs and modernization efforts.

Hegseth also urged Congress to approve the administration's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027.

"I believe failing to fund this department at $1.5 trillion would represent the greatest threat facing our nation," he told lawmakers.

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month, and both countries have continued exchanging daily military strikes since then.

According to the Pentagon, the number of U.S. service members killed in the conflict has risen to 18, while approximately 430 personnel have been wounded.

The Defense Department said on Monday that 100 additional service members had been injured since July 7, although 96% have already returned to active duty, suggesting that most sustained relatively minor injuries.

The rising financial and human costs of the conflict are expected to remain at the center of congressional debate as lawmakers weigh additional military funding against mounting fiscal pressures and growing public concern over the duration of the war.