Pentagon puts Iran war cost at $37.5 billion, seeks up to $95 billion more as Senate Democrats push back

Cost estimate jumps to $37.5 billion

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday that the war with Iran has cost the United States $37.5 billion since it began on 28 February. The figure, which includes projected spending through early September, marks a nearly 30% increase from the previous public estimate of $29 billion, a jump of about $9 billion. Hegseth said the total covers operations, maintenance and military pay. The hearing, marked by repeated protests from demonstrators, was the first time he has answered lawmakers' questions publicly since US forces resumed operations against Iran earlier this month. He appeared alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine.

White House seeks up to $95 billion in new funding

Hegseth defended a supplemental funding package of $95 billion, calling it an "urgent and necessary" injection of resources. The request includes $60 billion for military expenses, $12 billion for other national security needs, $10 billion for agricultural support and $10 billion for changes to electoral legislation. Combined with President Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget, Hegseth said the spending represents what he called a historic investment in the armed forces.

Without these funds, we will face critical deficits.

The White House had earlier urged Congress to approve the budget resolution "without changes and immediately." The administration argues the funds are critical to modernise ballistic operations with investments in technology, artificial intelligence, computing and automation.

Democrats warn of "another endless war"

Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the panel, pushed back sharply. She accused Trump of contradicting his repeated promises that a deal was close and the war would end soon.

The president has told us more than 40 times that a deal is close and the war will end shortly. Now he is asking for $70 billion more, and wants us to simply trust him that everything will work out fine.

Murray warned that the conflict is "again spiralling out of control" and risks becoming another endless war. Democrats also noted that the Pentagon had already received roughly $150 billion in extra funding through earlier Republican-backed legislation, questioning why more was needed. Hegseth countered that much of that money was directed to programmes unrelated to the Iran war. The $70 billion figure cited by Murray appears to refer to the Pentagon-specific portion of the request, which Hegseth pegged at $67 billion in his testimony.

Rising casualties and protests disrupt hearing

The hearing took place days after the Pentagon announced the deaths of three more US service members, bringing the toll to 17 killed since the start of July. More than 100 have been wounded in the same period. Hegseth's opening statement was interrupted several times by demonstrators in the room. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is also scheduled to testify before the committee. With Democrats signalling deep reservations, the path to approval remains uncertain.