Iran war cost US $29 billion: Pentagon nominee

The United States’ military conflict with Iran had cost American taxpayers about $29 billion by late May, according to Jules Hurst, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). Hurst disclosed the figure while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing.

The hearing focused on defense spending, military readiness, and the financial impact of recent conflicts. Lawmakers questioned Hurst about the overall cost of the Iran war and whether the Pentagon had an updated estimate.

Senator Angus King of Maine strongly criticized Hurst for failing to provide more recent figures. King pointed out that Hurst had served as the Pentagon’s acting comptroller and chief financial officer until May 20, making him one of the officials most familiar with the department’s finances.

King said the American public deserves a clear and transparent explanation of how much the war has cost. He argued that someone who had recently overseen the Pentagon’s finances should have been prepared to answer such an important question.

Hurst replied that the $29 billion estimate was the latest figure available from the time he left office. He said he had already provided the same estimate during an earlier congressional hearing and had no updated numbers because he no longer held responsibility for the Pentagon’s financial reporting.

He explained that the estimate covered only the direct costs of military operations. According to Hurst, more than $20 billion was spent on weapons and munitions used during the conflict. The remaining amount covered operational expenses such as fuel, transportation, logistics, and other military activities.

Hurst also clarified that the estimate did not include the cost of repairing damaged military bases, rebuilding infrastructure, or military construction projects in the region. He acknowledged that these additional expenses could significantly increase the total financial impact of the conflict.

The defense nominee said the war demonstrated the importance of strengthening US military facilities. He called for greater investment in hardened and deeply protected bases to better withstand future attacks and improve national security.

Senator King remained dissatisfied with the explanation. He said the estimate reflected only immediate operational spending and failed to capture the full economic cost of the war. He stressed that Congress and the American people should have access to complete financial information before making decisions on future military operations.

When asked why he had not requested updated figures before the hearing, Hurst said he believed it would have been inappropriate because he no longer served in a position responsible for compiling the Defense Department’s financial data