WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers that the conflict with Iran has so far cost the United States $37.5 billion, marking a significant increase from the previous estimate of nearly $29 billion reported in mid-May.
Speaking during a hearing before the US Senate Appropriations Committee, Hegseth said the latest estimate reflects the growing financial burden of ongoing military operations.
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Hegseth told senators while defending the Pentagon’s request for additional funding.
The defense secretary was testifying in support of the Department of Defense’s request for approximately $67 billion in supplemental funding, which the Pentagon says is needed to sustain military operations and meet national security requirements.
The updated cost estimate highlights the increasing economic impact of the conflict as US military operations in the region continue.
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Lawmakers are expected to debate the Pentagon’s supplemental funding request in the coming weeks as concerns over defense spending and the long-term implications of the Iran conflict remain central issues in Washington.
