US Iran war cost reaches $37.5 billion, Hegseth says

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Tuesday that the United States has spent $37.5 billion on its war in Iran so far, marking the first time the Pentagon chief has publicly addressed the cost of the conflict since airstrikes resumed in February. Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Hegseth said the figure includes expenses through September 30 and covers certain operational aspects, though he did not elaborate on how the total was calculated. The disclosure comes as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks nearly $90 billion in additional funding from Congress, most of it tied to the Iran campaign, setting up a contentious debate on Capitol Hill just months before the November midterm elections.

A costly conflict with no end in sight

The $37.5 billion figure is lower than some earlier estimates. In March, a Reuters source reported that the first six days of the conflict alone cost at least $11.3 billion. Since then, the US and its ally Israel have conducted sustained bombing operations across Iran, though the Pentagon has released few details about the scope or strategy of the campaign. Hegseth’s testimony provided the first official cumulative cost, but lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration over the lack of transparency. “We’re being asked to approve tens of billions more without a clear picture of the mission or an exit strategy,” said one Republican committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Political fallout ahead of midterms

The timing of the hearing is politically charged. With six months until the midterm elections, Democrats are seizing on the war’s expense to paint Republicans as fiscally irresponsible. Public opinion polls show growing opposition to the conflict, and Democratic leaders have argued that the $37.5 billion—and the additional $90 billion request—could be better spent on domestic programs. “Working families are struggling with inflation, and the administration is pouring billions into an unpopular war,” said a Democratic senator. Republicans, meanwhile, are caught between supporting a president from their own party and facing voters who are weary of foreign entanglements.

Bipartisan criticism over lack of consultation

Hegseth faced pointed questions from both sides of the aisle about the administration’s failure to keep Congress informed. Since the airstrikes began on February 28, lawmakers have complained that Trump and his team have not provided regular briefings or shared plans for de-escalation. “The American people deserve to know what their money is funding, and Congress has a constitutional role in authorizing war,” one House Democrat stated during the hearing. Hegseth defended the administration’s approach, arguing that operational security required some secrecy, but he offered few specifics about future objectives.

What’s next for the war funding debate

The $90 billion supplemental request is expected to face stiff resistance in both chambers. Even some Republicans have expressed reluctance to approve such a large sum without clearer benchmarks. The debate will unfold against the backdrop of a tight electoral calendar, where every vote on war funding could be weaponized in campaign ads. Analysts say the outcome may hinge on whether the administration can demonstrate progress in Iran or present a credible path to winding down operations. For now, the $37.5 billion figure—and the prospect of billions more—ensures that the cost of war will remain a central issue in the months ahead.