Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion so far, offering a higher estimate than earlier figures while warning that the Pentagon is now dealing with critical budget shortfalls.
Cost so far: $37.5 billion
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion to date. That figure is a new estimate from the Pentagon and is higher than earlier public accounts of the conflict\u2019s cost.
What Hegseth told the committee
During his testimony, Hegseth gave lawmakers the updated war-cost figure and said the Defense Department is facing critical budget shortfalls. The testimony put both the cost of the conflict and the Pentagon\u2019s broader funding pressure before the committee that helps shape federal spending bills.
Why the Pentagon is warning about shortfalls
The Pentagon\u2019s warning centers on gaps between current defense spending needs and available funding. Based on Hegseth\u2019s testimony, the Iran war\u2019s rising cost is part of the budget pressure now confronting the department.
What is not yet clear
The available report does not detail which programs or operations are affected by the shortfalls, whether the Pentagon will seek emergency funding, or how the $37.5 billion estimate breaks down across military operations, equipment, personnel or other costs.
Key Facts
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a new estimate of the cost of the Iran war during testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Hegseth said the conflict has cost $37.5 billion so far, which is higher than earlier reported figures.
- He told lawmakers the Pentagon is dealing with critical budget shortfalls.