WASHINGTON, United States: The US-Iran war cost is estimated at $37.5 billion through September 30, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators Tuesday while seeking emergency Pentagon funding.
Hegseth said the figure covered certain military personnel, operations and maintenance expenses through the end of the U.S. fiscal year. He did not provide a detailed public breakdown of how the Pentagon calculated the total.
The Pentagon requested an additional $67.1 billion for the conflict and other Defence Department priorities, including munitions, drones, cybersecurity, fuel and military readiness. The request includes $21 billion for ammunition and $17.3 billion for operations.
Hegseth called the supplemental funding urgent and warned of critical shortfalls if Congress does not approve it. He also urged lawmakers to support President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for fiscal year 2027.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms new estimate cost for the Iran war: $37.5 billion. pic.twitter.com/rlQMz6p2jh
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 21, 2026Senators from both parties questioned the administration’s war strategy, spending plans and transparency. Senator Patty Murray, the committee’s senior Democrat, warned that the conflict risked becoming “another forever war.”
Read: Iran-US Ceasefire: Mediators Propose 10-Day Strike Pause
The hearing followed the deaths of three additional U.S. service members, bringing the confirmed American military death toll to 17, according to the Associated Press. The Pentagon also reported that more than 100 personnel had been injured since early July.
Nearly 100 service members suffered injuries after hostilities intensified on July 7, and the Pentagon said 96% had returned to duty.
