The cost of the United States’ military campaign against Iran has reached $37.5 billion, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who presented the figure during a congressional hearing as the Pentagon seeks additional funding for ongoing operations.
The hearing marked Hegseth’s first appearance before lawmakers since the latest phase of US military strikes resumed against Iran.
Pentagon Details Rising Cost of Conflict
Testifying before Congress on Tuesday, Hegseth said the estimated $37.5 billion includes expenses already incurred as well as projected operational costs through September 30.
The Pentagon did not provide a detailed breakdown of how the estimate was calculated.
Earlier this year, a source familiar with internal assessments told Reuters that the Trump administration estimated the first six days of military operations had already cost at least $11.3 billion.
Trump Seeks Additional Military Funding
Last month, President Donald Trump asked Congress to approve nearly $90 billion in supplemental funding, with most of the request linked to military operations involving Iran.
The proposal has sparked debate on Capitol Hill as lawmakers assess the financial impact of the conflict alongside broader federal spending priorities.
Both Republican and Democratic members of Congress have criticized the administration for providing limited information about the objectives, costs, and long-term strategy of the military campaign.
Lawmakers Question Administration’s Strategy
During the hearing, Democratic lawmakers challenged the administration over its handling of the conflict and its public messaging.
Senator Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned whether the conflict could expand further and expressed concern about statements regarding possible future military targets.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also pressed Hegseth over what she described as inconsistent public messaging surrounding the conflict’s trajectory and military objectives.
With Republicans holding narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, bipartisan support is expected to be important for approving additional defense funding.
Pentagon Warns of Budget Pressure
Hegseth warned lawmakers that without supplemental funding, the Pentagon may need to scale back military training and other activities.
He also urged Congress to approve the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal year 2027, arguing that sustained investment is necessary to maintain US military readiness.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged that prolonged operations could place additional pressure on maintenance budgets and future modernization programs, although he said the military would continue meeting payroll obligations for service members.
Conflict Continues After Ceasefire Collapse
Military operations resumed after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month.
According to Pentagon figures presented during the hearing, the number of US military personnel killed since the conflict began has risen to 18, while approximately 430 service members have been injured.
Defense officials said that 100 troops were injured after July 7, with around 96 percent having already returned to active duty.
Trump Signals Additional Military Action
President Trump has continued to signal that further military operations remain under consideration.
In recent days, he has suggested that additional targets could include energy infrastructure, bridges, Iran’s Kharg Island oil facilities, and the underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear-related site.
Speaking on Tuesday, Trump said the United States would target the mountain facility “pretty soon”, indicating that further military action remains a possibility as diplomatic efforts continue to face challenges.
The latest funding debate underscores the growing financial and political pressures surrounding the conflict, with Congress expected to play a central role in determining whether the administration receives the additional resources it says are needed to sustain military operations.
