US Has Spent $37.5bn on Iran War as Conflict Drains Weapons Stockpiles
The United States has spent an estimated $37.5 billion on its military campaign involving Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday.
Hegseth disclosed the figure during a Senate appropriations committee hearing, where he appeared alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, to defend the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget.
Asked by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin how much the conflict had cost the United States so far, Hegseth replied: “The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion.”
He said the figure included some operations and maintenance costs expected to continue through the end of September, but did not provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure.
The latest estimate is about $8 billion higher than the $29 billion figure released by President Donald Trump’s administration in May.
The disclosure comes as the conflict between Washington and Tehran continues to intensify following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding that had temporarily halted attacks from June 17.
Trump had warned Iran that it would “pay” after two American soldiers were killed over the weekend.
He has also threatened attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and bridges, while raising the possibility of deploying ground troops to seize Kharg Island and striking the underground nuclear-linked facility known as Pickaxe Mountain.
US military operations have largely focused on areas believed to be connected to Iran’s efforts to maintain influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Iran, meanwhile, has vowed to continue targeting American interests across the region. Recent attacks have reportedly affected power and desalination facilities in Kuwait, with other locations in Bahrain and Jordan also coming under attack.
Yemen’s Houthi movement, which is aligned with Tehran, has also announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.
Hegseth told lawmakers that the war had placed considerable pressure on America’s weapons stockpile since the conflict began on February 28.
He said the proposed funding would be used to expand weapons production and speed up the delivery of munitions in high demand, including solid rocket motors, JDAM precision-guided bombs, hypersonic weapons and counter-drone systems.
The defence secretary also warned that the US military could be forced to reduce future training if Congress failed to approve the administration’s funding request.
“Training in the future would have to be curtailed if we do not get our budget needs met, and met urgently,” Hegseth warned.
