Chicago – July 21, 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, revealing that the United States’ military engagement in Iran has incurred costs of $37.5 billion to date, marking a significant increase of approximately $9 billion from the Pentagon’s mid-May estimate of $29 billion.
The updated figure, which encompasses operational expenses, maintenance expenditures, and military salaries since the conflict began on February 28, was presented as Hegseth defended the administration’s request for an additional $67 billion in supplemental defense funding.
Previous Pentagon estimates had been criticized by analysts as being too low, particularly because they did not account for damage to U.S. military bases in the region. The substantial cost increase underscores the escalating financial burden of the ongoing Middle East conflict, with projections extending into early September.
Hegseth’s testimony comes as the administration faces growing scrutiny over war spending and seeks congressional approval for billions in additional military funding to sustain operations.
