Pentagon reveals cost of war with Iran
U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) Comptroller Jules J. Hurst III reported that the cost of the U.S./Israel-Iran war has reached approximately 29 billion dollars to date. Defense Secretary Hegseth stated, "We have plans to re-escalate (the war) if necessary, we have plans to withdraw if necessary. We have plans to shift assets."
12punto
Hurst testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense regarding the Pentagon's record budget request for the 2027 fiscal year, alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine.
"REACHED APPROXIMATELY 29 BILLION DOLLARS"
When asked by members of the House of Representatives about the cost of the war the U.S. launched against Iran alongside Israel, which has been reflected in the Pentagon budget to date, Hurst said this figure has "reached approximately 29 billion dollars."
Hurst said, "During my testimony (before the House Armed Services Committee), that figure was 25 billion dollars, but the joint staff and the comptroller team are constantly reviewing this estimate, and therefore we now believe it is closer to 29 billion dollars."
Explaining the 4 billion dollar increase in the cost of the war, Hurst added, "The reason for this is updated equipment repair and replacement costs, as well as general operating costs to ensure personnel remain on duty."
Furthermore, speaking at the same hearing, Defense Secretary Hegseth, when asked whether he could provide a more formal calculation of the cost of the war with Iran to Congress, stated that the Pentagon would "share information as much as possible when it is relevant and necessary."
"WE HAVE PLANS TO RE-ESCALATE THE WAR IF NECESSARY"
Regarding the U.S. plans to maintain or withdraw its military presence in the region, Hegseth stated, "We have plans to re-escalate (the war) if necessary, we have plans to withdraw if necessary. We have plans to shift assets."
Reports in U.S. media included commentary suggesting that the cost could rise to 40-50 billion dollars when the repair costs for U.S. bases in the region, which Iran struck with missiles, are added.
In his testimony to the U.S. Congress in April, Hurst had stated that they calculated the cost of the war against Iran to be "approximately 25 billion dollars" and reported that this was a low figure that did not include the cost of repairing extensive damage sustained at U.S. bases in the Middle East.