Pentagon says Iran war cost $37.5 billion, requests $67.1 billion more

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialJuly 22, 2026 at 12:48 PM

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Pentagon says Iran war cost $37.5 billion, requests $67.1 billion more

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress on Tuesday that the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion to date, according to Defense News. He requested an additional $67.1 billion in emergency funding as some critical military funds risk depletion within weeks, Sabah reported.

Cost and Funding Request

The Pentagon's Iran war costs have reached $37.5 billion, Hegseth told senators Tuesday, as he requested $67.1 billion in emergency funding, according to Defense News. Sabah earlier reported the war had cost about $30 billion and that the White House sought $67 billion. The requested sum covers both incurred expenses and projected costs through September 30, Forbes Kazakhstan noted, citing Reuters.

Budget Strain and Casualties

Pentagon has begun cutting funds for training, exercises, maintenance, and weapons purchases to cover the budget shortfall, Sabah reported. Podrobno.uz added that 18 US service members have been killed and about 430 wounded since hostilities began, with about 100 wounded since July 7, 96 of whom have returned to duty. Hegseth also urged lawmakers to approve a $1.5 trillion base defense budget for FY2027, warning that underfunding poses a major national security threat.

Political Fallout

The war's unpopularity threatens Republican majorities in the House and Senate ahead of November midterm elections, Forbes Kazakhstan reported, citing Reuters. Democrats have linked the conflict to rising living costs in opinion polls. Trump previously requested nearly $90 billion in supplemental funding, mostly for the Iran conflict, straining relations with lawmakers, Reuters added.

What's Next

Congress is set to debate the $67.1 billion emergency request in the coming weeks. It remains unclear whether lawmakers will approve the full amount amid growing opposition to the war and the approaching elections.

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