THE Pentagon has estimated that the United States' military campaign against Iran has cost US$37.5 billion so far, as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appealed to Congress for additional funding amid growing political opposition to the conflict.
Appearing before lawmakers on Tuesday, Hegseth said the figure covers military operations already undertaken as well as projected costs through Sept 30, although he did not explain how the estimate was calculated.
Reuters cited on Wednesday that the funding request comes as President Donald Trump seeks nearly US$90 billion in additional appropriations, most of which are related to the Iran conflict, while also asking Congress to approve a US$1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027.
The renewed appeal has intensified debate on Capitol Hill, with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressing frustration over what they describe as insufficient briefings from the administration since the United States and Israel resumed strikes against Iran.
With the November midterm elections approaching, Democrats have sought to link the costly military campaign to broader concerns over the rising cost of living and government spending.
"The president is threatening escalation and war crimes, and suggesting this could be another forever war," said Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also questioned the administration's shifting messaging on the conflict.
"The reason why they (people) are so upset with you and this administration is because the words you have used in the past don't add up," she said.
"It's either over, or it's not over. It's within two weeks, or it's not two weeks, it's either missiles or it's not missiles."
Hegseth warned lawmakers that without urgent supplemental funding, the Pentagon would be forced to scale back military training programmes and other operational activities.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged that prolonged fighting could also affect equipment maintenance and future military investment, although he said service members would continue to be paid.
"Not funding this department at US$1.5 trillion, I believe, is the greatest threat that our nation faces," Hegseth said.
The conflict has continued to intensify after a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month, with both sides conducting daily military strikes.
According to Pentagon figures, 18 US service members have been killed since the conflict began, while about 430 troops have been wounded. The department said 100 personnel had been injured since July 7, with 96 per cent having since returned to active duty.
Trump has recently threatened to broaden US military operations by targeting Iranian energy facilities, bridges, the Kharg Island oil export hub and the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-linked site.
On Tuesday, the president said the United States would strike the Pickaxe Mountain facility "pretty soon." - July 22, 2026
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