US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress on Tuesday that the US war against Iran has so far cost $37.5 billion, around $8 billion more than the last public estimate.
Hegseth told lawmakers the figure also includes projected costs up to 30 September.
It was the first time the defence secretary had faced public questioning from lawmakers since US forces resumed military operations against Iran earlier this month. He appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.
The hearing came ahead of a debate on a $95 billion Republican budget package to fund the armed forces, provide aid to farmers and introduce changes to voting laws, all key priorities for the White House.
Hegseth’s opening statement was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, days after the Pentagon announced that three more US service members had been killed in the war, bringing the total death toll to 18. More than 100 others have been wounded since early July.
Several senators sharply criticised the administration during the hearing.
Senator Patty Murray, the committee’s top Democrat, warned that the conflict with Iran “could become another forever war”.
She added: “This war is now escalating in a way that threatens to spiral out of control again.”
Murray also criticised President Donald Trump, saying: “He has told us more than 40 times now that a deal is close and that the war will end soon. But now, he is asking for another $70 billion and asking us simply to trust him that everything will work out.”
Before the hearing, the White House issued a statement urging Congress to approve the budget bill “without amendment — immediately”.
Most Americans still disapprove of President Trump’s handling of Iran, according to a poll conducted jointly by the Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Centre.
