US reveals cost of war with Iran
Hegseth, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, answered questions from members of the US Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the additional budget requested for the Department of Defense (Pentagon).
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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that they "live in a dangerous world" and that additional resources are needed for the American military, announcing that the cost of the ongoing war with Iran has "reached 37.5 billion dollars."
"As you know, we live in a dangerous world where bold and swift steps must be taken. That is the reason for this supplemental appropriations request for the 2026 fiscal year," said Hegseth, describing the budget request as an "essential and urgent infusion of resources to meet the urgent needs" of the Department of Defense.
Hegseth stated that this request for additional funding is not an alternative to replace existing resources, adding, "At the same time, we are in a different era. If we do not make critical investments in technology, processing power, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and space immediately, we will not have the luxury of standing still. Our adversaries, who are already making such investments, could leave us behind."
When asked by Democratic Senatör Dick Durbin about the cost of the Iran war, the Secretary of Defense replied, "As of today, 37 billion 500 million dollars."
Hegseth stated that if these funds are not provided, soldiers' salaries might not be paid, and further argued that the US military could face critical shortages that would "threaten its ability to rapidly replenish equipment and ammunition and maintain vital operations without interruption."