The cost of the United States’ military campaign against Iran has climbed to US$37.5 billion (RM161.3 billion), with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warning lawmakers that the Pentagon urgently needs more funding as the conflict continues to escalate.
Appearing before Congress for the first time since heavy bombing operations resumed, Hegseth said the figure includes current military spending and projected costs through 30 September. However, he did not explain how the Pentagon calculated the total. Earlier estimates from the Trump administration suggested that just the first six days of the war had already cost at least US$11.3 billion.
The latest funding request comes as President Donald Trump seeks almost US$90 billion in additional spending, with the bulk earmarked for military operations linked to the Iran conflict. The request is expected to trigger another fierce battle in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties have criticised the administration’s handling of the war.
Democrats have intensified their attacks ahead of November’s midterm elections, arguing that the costly conflict is worsening economic pressures faced by American families. Public opinion polls have also shown growing dissatisfaction over Trump’s management of the cost of living, adding further political pressure on the White House.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Democratic Senator Patty Murray accused Trump of threatening to widen the conflict and warned that attacks on civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also questioned the administration’s inconsistent messaging, saying the government’s statements about the direction of the war had repeatedly changed.
Hegseth cautioned lawmakers that without immediate funding, the Pentagon may be forced to reduce military training programmes. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine acknowledged that while the military would continue paying service members, prolonged funding shortages could affect equipment maintenance and future defence capabilities.
The Pentagon is also seeking approval for a US$1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027, with Hegseth arguing that failing to fully fund the military would pose a serious risk to US national security.
Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month, with both sides continuing to launch daily strikes. The Pentagon confirmed that 18 American service members have been killed during the conflict, while about 430 troops have been injured. Of those wounded since 7 July, officials said 96 per cent have already returned to active duty.
Tensions remain high as Trump recently threatened to expand US military operations by targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, bridges, the Kharg Island oil hub and the heavily fortified nuclear-linked facility known as Pickaxe Mountain. On Tuesday, the president said the United States would strike the underground site “pretty soon”, signalling that the conflict may continue to intensify.
