Pentagon Says Iran War Has Cost US $37.5 Billion So Far

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers yesterday that the cost of the ongoing US military campaign against Iran has reached $37.5 billion, as he sought additional funding amid growing frustration in Congress over the conflict.

Costs Mount as War Continues

Hegseth said the $37.5 billion figure covers certain elements of the war along with anticipated expenses through September 30, though it remains unclear exactly how the Pentagon calculated the number. An earlier estimate from March put the cost of just the first six days of fighting at roughly $11.3 billion. Trump’s administration has already asked Congress for nearly $70 billion in additional funding, most of it tied to the Iran conflict, setting up another difficult budget fight as lawmakers head toward the November midterms.

Lawmakers Voice Frustration

Both Republican and Democratic members of Congress have complained since the war began on February 28 that the administration has failed to keep them adequately informed about the conflict’s direction.

Political Stakes Rising

With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers, any appropriations bill will likely require Democratic support to pass. Democrats currently hold favorable position in public opinion polling as they work to connect the unpopular war with broader affordability concerns ahead of the midterms. The Pentagon is separately seeking a $1.5 trillion budget for 2027.