US war on iran costs $37.5bn so far: Pentagon

The United States has spent 37.5 billion dollars on its war against Iran to date, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing in Washington, while calling on Congress to approve additional funding for the conflict.

The statement comes six months ahead of midterm elections, where Democrats lead in public opinion polls and are attempting to link the unpopular war with broader economic affordability concerns.

Hegseth stated that the 37.5 billion dollar figure covers specific operational aspects of the war as well as anticipated expenditures through September 30, though the exact calculations used by the Pentagon were not detailed.

The funding request follows President Donald Trump’s call for nearly 90 billion dollars in supplemental funding last month, primarily for the Iran conflict, setting up legislative friction with lawmakers who express frustration over the war’s trajectory and communication.

Both Democratic and Republican members of Congress criticised the administration for a lack of transparency since US and Israeli military operations against Iran began on February 28.

Senator Patty Murray warned that the president’s severe threats against civilian infrastructure risk war crimes and a prolonged conflict, while Senator Kirsten Gillibrand criticised contradictory statements from the administration regarding the duration and scope of the war.

Hegseth warned lawmakers that without an urgent influx of capital, military training operations would need to be curtailed.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged that while service members would receive their pay, the Pentagon could face challenges covering equipment maintenance and investments in future capabilities due to strains on its nearly 1 trillion dollar budget.

In response, Hegseth urged Congress to approve not only the supplemental package but also a 1.5 trillion dollar defence budget for 2027, describing any failure to fund the department at that level as the single greatest threat to national security.

The appeal for funds follows the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire earlier in the month, leading to daily reciprocal strikes between US and Iranian forces.

US troop casualties have risen to 18 killed and approximately 430 injured, including 100 wounded since July 7, though the Pentagon noted that 96 per cent of those injured have returned to active duty.

Meanwhile, President Trump has threatened to expand targets to include Iranian energy plants, bridges, the Kharg Island oil hub via ground forces, and the deep-underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-linked facility, stating that a strike on the mountain site would occur in the near future.