Hegseth: Iran war cost $37.5 bn, requests $70 bn funding

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate Appropriations Committee that the war with Iran has so far cost about $37.5 billion, up from earlier estimates of $29 billion. He urged Congress to approve roughly $70 billion in additional funding to sustain operations, replenish weapons, and cover personnel costs.

During the hearing, Senators, notably Democrat Gary Peters, accused Hegseth of lacking a clear long‑term strategy and called the funding request a “blank check.” The hearing was repeatedly interrupted by protesters demanding an end to the conflict.

At the same time, the Pentagon has been moving extra special‑operations forces, jet fighters, bombers and medical units to the Middle East, positioning assets in Jordan, Israel, Germany and the United Kingdom. U.S. Central Command has conducted a dozen consecutive nights of strikes against Iranian targets to degrade the regime’s ability to threaten civilian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The administration also claims Iran receives support from China and Russia.

Public polls show a majority of Americans consider the war not worth fighting, adding political pressure as the conflict enters its fifth month and U.S. casualties rise to 18.