US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate committee on Tuesday that the cost of the war in Iran has reached $37.5 billion, including projected expenditure through 30 September.
Hegseth appeared alongside General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to present the Trump administration’s supplemental funding request to Congress.
The administration is seeking $67 billion in additional funding to cover part of the costs of the conflict with Iran, replenish critical military stockpiles and support ongoing operations. It has also requested $1.5 trillion to fund the Department of Defense during the next fiscal year.
‘Peace through strength’
In his opening statement, Hegseth said every dollar allocated to the Pentagon would strengthen US military capabilities.
“Rest assured that every dollar entrusted to the Department of War will focus on increasing the lethality of our joint force and securing peace through strength,” he said.
Although he did not directly address Iran in his opening remarks, Hegseth said the supplemental request includes $21 billion for operational readiness, including replacing much of the equipment used during recent military operations.
Global threats cited
General Caine began his testimony by paying tribute to the three US service members killed over the weekend before arguing that the funding request is necessary to address a wide range of international security challenges.
“I came before you today to request the necessary funding while we remain within this window of opportunity, while time is still on our side,” Caine said.
He added that the United States faces military challenges in the Middle East, Europe and the Indo-Pacific, including both nuclear and non-nuclear threats, as well as the continuing threat of terrorism.
Lawmakers press Pentagon on strategy
Hegseth defended the funding request as an “urgent and necessary” measure to rebuild the Pentagon’s precision weapons arsenal, which has been depleted during the fighting, and to prevent expected shortfalls in the defence budget.
Lawmakers questioned both officials about the administration’s strategy for the conflict, President Donald Trump’s pledge to destroy Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and the Pentagon’s plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following its closure, which disrupted global oil and fertiliser trade.
Caine declined to say whether the conflict would continue to escalate or whether a potential ground invasion was being considered.
Also read: US renews strikes on Iran as Trump threatens nuclear site
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