politics
US-Iran War Has Cost $37.5 Billion; Pentagon Seeks $88 Billion More
Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday and requested nearly $88 billion in additional funding. He said $67.1 billion of the request would cover ongoing costs of the conflict.
Jul 21, 7:15 PM·1m read3 sources
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that the US-Israel war on Iran had cost the United States $37.5 billion through the end of September and requested nearly $88 billion in supplemental funding of which as much as $67.1 billion would cover costs of the Iran war effort to avoid shortfalls in paying service members, replenishing equipment and munitions, and sustaining operations.
Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, appeared with Hegseth. The defense secretary’s opening remarks were interrupted repeatedly by protesters. At least two US soldiers were killed in an Iranian attack on Friday, and one died in Iraq while destroying an Iranian drone, bringing the American death toll since February to 17.
Nearly 100 troops have been wounded, though most injuries were minor. Hegseth said the $21 billion readiness portion of the request would cover military pay, replace equipment, and stabilize fuel shortfalls. The $46 billion capability portion would expand production of solid rocket motors, JDAMs, hypersonics, and counter-drone systems.
Patty Murray, the committee’s Democratic vice-chair, said the justification for the war had shifted from pre-empting nonexistent threats to regime change, dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and navy, and now reopening the Strait of Hormuz. She noted the strait was fully open before the war began and said it is now closed and the ceasefire has disintegrated.
Hegseth said the Department of Defense believes standalone Article II authorities allow the operation.
Both chambers of Congress have passed a war-powers resolution urging the president to seek congressional authorization to continue military operations. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski have backed similar resolutions. Russell Vought earlier told Congress the running cost was about $30 billion.
Betty McCollum said the Pentagon missed a deadline to detail war costs and has not disclosed remaining precision munitions stocks.
