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US Iran war: Washington spent $37.5 billion so far in attacks on Iran, Pete Hegseth reveals

Jessica Anderson - bharatmorningnews.com जुलाई 22, 2026

Foto : Jessica Anderson - bharatmorningnews.com

US Iran war: U.S. Defense Secretary Reveals $37.5 Billion Spent on Iran Conflict Bharatmorningnews.com – Washington has accumulated $37.5 billion in

U.S. Defense Secretary Reveals $37.5 Billion Spent on Iran Conflict

Bharatmorningnews.com – Washington has accumulated $37.5 billion in expenses related to its military operations against Iran, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who addressed skeptical members of Congress on Tuesday. The announcement came as he sought immediate financial support for a conflict that has grown increasingly unpopular among the American public.

With midterm elections approaching in just half a year, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party faces considerable challenges maintaining their control over both chambers of Congress. Democratic opponents are capitalizing on public sentiment, connecting the Iran campaign to broader concerns about economic affordability.

Financial Details and Congressional Response

During his Washington testimony, Hegseth clarified that the $37.5 billion total encompasses various war-related expenditures plus projected costs extending through September 30. The methodology behind this calculation remains somewhat opaque to observers.

A Reuters source indicated in March that the Trump administration initially valued the opening six days of hostilities at minimum $11.3 billion. Last month, Trump submitted a request to Congress for approximately $90 billion in supplementary funding, with the majority designated for the Iran situation.

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed frustration since American and Israeli forces commenced bombing operations on February 28. They contend that Trump and his advisors have failed to provide adequate updates regarding the conflict and future strategies.

Political Implications and Budget Concerns

Senator Patty Murray, ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, voiced serious concerns during the hearing.

“The president is threatening escalation and war crimes, and suggesting this could be another forever war,”

she stated, referencing Trump’s repeated warnings against Iranian targets, including civilian facilities that critics argue constitute potential war crimes.

Republican control of Congress remains precarious, with narrow margins in both the House and Senate requiring Democratic cooperation for appropriations legislation to succeed.

Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand criticized the administration’s inconsistent messaging.

“The reason why they (people) are so upset with you and this administration is because the words you have used in the past don’t add up,”

she explained.

“It’s either over, or it’s not over. It’s within two weeks, or it’s not two weeks, it’s either missiles or it’s not missiles.”

Military Operations and Casualties

Hegseth warned that without additional funding, military training programs would need to be reduced. The ongoing conflict has placed significant pressure on the Pentagon’s nearly $1 trillion annual budget, potentially affecting personnel expenses.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged during the hearing that while service members would receive payment, the Pentagon might encounter difficulties covering maintenance expenses and future capability investments.

The Defense Secretary urged Congress to approve not only the supplemental request but also a $1.5 trillion budget allocation for 2027.

“Not funding this department at $1.5 trillion, I believe, is the greatest threat that our nation faces,”

Hegseth emphasized.

A previously established ceasefire between the United States and Iran disintegrated earlier this month, leading to daily military exchanges between the two nations. Over the weekend, the death toll among American servicemen reached 18, with approximately 430 personnel sustaining injuries. Pentagon officials reported on Monday that 100 service members had been wounded since July 7, though 96 percent have resumed their duties.

During the past week, Trump has signaled intentions to broaden attack targets in Iran to encompass energy facilities and bridges. He has also proposed deploying ground troops to capture Kharg Island, Iran’s critical oil hub, and conducting aerial bombardment of Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified nuclear-related installation located deep underground.

On Tuesday, Trump declared that the United States would eliminate the mountain facility “pretty soon.”