Iran war has cost US $37.5 billion so far, Hegseth tells Senate as he asks for more funds

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense questioning Tuesday over the escalating war with Iran, estimating its cost at $37.5 billion to date during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. Hegseth urged lawmakers to approve a $95 billion GOP budget package, which includes supplemental war funding, to address what he described as "critical shortfalls."

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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimated the war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, as Republicans prepare a $95 billion GOP budget package to fund the military, along with other White House priorities.

The hearing occurred days after the Pentagon reported three more American service members died in the conflict, bringing the total to 17 killed and over 100 injured since early July. Hegseth characterized the requested supplemental funding as an "urgent, necessary" injection of money, and President Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget as a "generational investment."

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Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls.

However, Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the panel, voiced strong opposition, warning of "another forever war." She criticized Trump's repeated claims that a deal was near, contrasting them with the request for an additional $70 billion. "This war is now spiraling out of control again," Murray stated.

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This war is now spiraling out of control again.

The proposed budget package also allocates funds for other national security needs, farm aid, and voting law changes. The White House issued a statement urging immediate support for the resolution. Public opinion, according to an AP-NORC poll, shows most Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the Iran situation. The conflict has led to spiked gas prices due to Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz and depleted U.S. munitions from continuous missile strikes.

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She said Trump has said repeatedly that “a deal is near, and the war will be over soon. But now, he’s asking for $70 billion more, and for us to just trust him it’ll all work out fine.”