The Iran war has cost the US about $37.5 billion so far, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators on Tuesday as he pushed for more Pentagon money. He said the figure was nearly $8 billion higher than the estimate released in May, and he warned that training and other military activity would be cut back without a fast funding increase.
Hegseth was appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee for the first time since the conflict restarted. He said he wants $87 billion in congressional funding for his department, with $67 billion aimed at operations in the Middle East. He told lawmakers the money is needed to keep service members paid, replace equipment and munitions, and avoid disruptions in military operations.
The hearing was repeatedly interrupted by anti-war protesters, who shouted messages including stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine. Hegseth said the US is facing a dangerous world and argued that the military must prepare for war in order to preserve peace. He also said the spending would strengthen US forces and help the country stay ahead of its adversaries.
