US Defense Secretary estimates Iran war cost at $37.5 billion amid fiery hearing

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense questioning and protests during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Tuesday, estimating the ongoing conflict with Iran has cost the United States $37.5 billion so far. This figure represents an increase from earlier assessments.

Hegseth was defending a $95 billion supplemental funding package requested by the White House, intended for military operations and other national security priorities. He described the funds as an “urgent, necessary” injection of money, calling it a “generational investment” in the military when combined with President Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget.

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Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls.

The hearing took place just days after the Pentagon reported that three additional American service members had died in the conflict, raising the total death toll to 17. More than 100 personnel have been injured since the beginning of July. Protesters interrupted Hegseth's opening remarks multiple times during the session.

Despite President Trump's repeated assertions that a peace deal is imminent, Senator Patty Murray expressed concerns about the war spiraling out of control, warning of "another forever war." The proposed budget package also includes significant funding for other national security needs, farm aid, and voting law changes, though it is not offset by any cuts elsewhere. Public approval of Trump's handling of the Iran situation remains low, according to an AP-NORC poll, with rising gas prices and dwindling U.S. munitions contributing to the complex geopolitical landscape.

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This war is now spiralling out of control again.