The Pentagon estimates the cost of the war against Iran at $37,5 billion

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed to the Senate that the war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran has cost $37,5 billion to date, $8 billion more than the official estimate published in May.

It was during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that Pete Hegseth revealed this figure. When questioned by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, he stated, "The estimate we have to date is $37,5 billion." The Secretary of Defense clarified that this amount includes certain operational and maintenance costs running through the end of September, without providing further details.

This total represents a significant increase compared to the $29 billion figure cited by the Trump administration in May. However, it remains far below independent assessments: Moody's Analytics estimates the domestic cost of the conflict for the United States at up to $150 billion, taking into account, in particular, the rise in energy prices.

Hegseth appeared alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine to defend a $1.5 trillion budget request, including nearly $70 billion earmarked for the war against Iran. Democratic Senator Patty Murray strongly challenged the scope of the request, which also encompasses the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., anti-drug operations in the Caribbean, and military patrols along the U.S. border. "I'll be frank," she said. "The truth is, your request doesn't make much sense."

The Pentagon chief also warned of the strain on US weapons stockpiles since the start of the conflict on February 28. He called for funding to "expand production lines and accelerate the delivery of much-needed munitions," citing solid-propellant rocket motors, JDAM kits, hypersonic weapons, and anti-drone capabilities. Without additional funding, he cautioned, "training will have to be reduced."

The hearing took place as fighting intensified again after the collapse last week of a memorandum of understanding that had suspended attacks since June 17. On Monday, on the eve of a tenth consecutive night of US airstrikes, Donald Trump He promised that Iran would "pay" after the deaths of two more American soldiers over the weekend. The president also threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges, send ground forces to seize Kharg Island, and bomb an underground nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain.

Iran, for its part, has vowed to continue targeting American assets in the region. Recent attacks have targeted desalination plants and power stations in Kuwait, as well as sites in Bahrain and Jordan. Meanwhile, the Houthis in Yemen, close allies of Tehran, have declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.