$37.5bn and Counting: US Reveals Mounting Cost of Iran War
The United States has spent $37.5 billion on its ongoing war involving Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has disclosed, as the conflict continues to put pressure on the country’s military resources.
Hegseth revealed the figure on Tuesday during a Senate appropriations committee hearing, where he appeared with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, to defend the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget.
Responding to a question from Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, Hegseth said the latest estimate of the cost of the war stood at $37.5 billion.
The figure includes certain operational and maintenance expenses expected to continue until the end of September, although the secretary did not provide a detailed breakdown of the spending.
The new estimate marks an increase of roughly $8 billion from the $29 billion figure released by President Donald Trump’s administration in May.
The disclosure comes as the conflict between the US and Iran enters another dangerous phase following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding that had suspended attacks since June 17.
Trump has threatened further action against Iran after two American soldiers were killed over the weekend.
His administration has also raised the possibility of striking Iranian energy facilities and bridges, deploying ground forces to capture Kharg Island and targeting the underground nuclear-related site known as Pickaxe Mountain.
American attacks have concentrated on areas linked to Iran’s efforts to maintain influence over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Iran has vowed to continue retaliatory attacks against American interests across the region. Recent exchanges have reportedly damaged power and desalination facilities in Kuwait, while targets in Bahrain and Jordan have also been hit.
The Houthi movement in Yemen, which is allied with Iran, has separately announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.
Hegseth also warned that the conflict had placed serious strain on the US military’s weapons reserves since the war began on February 28.
He said the proposed defence funding would help expand production and speed up the supply of weapons in high demand, including solid rocket motors, JDAM precision-guided munitions, hypersonic weapons and counter-drone systems.
Without urgent approval of the requested funding, Hegseth warned that the military could face difficult choices, including cutting back on future training.
“Training in the future would have to be curtailed if we do not get our budget needs met, and met urgently,” he told lawmakers.
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