US-Iran war cost jumps to Rs10.46 trillion? US defence chief Hegseth reveals shocking new figure
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has revealed that the official cost of the US-Israel war on Iran has reached $37.5 billion. He shared the figure while speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine defended a request for a $1.5 trillion US defence budget. The proposal includes nearly $70 billion for the ongoing war with Iran.
Hegseth said, “The estimate we have as of today is $37.5bn.” He explained that the amount also includes some operations and maintenance costs that will continue until the end of September. However, he did not provide a detailed breakdown of the spending.
The latest official estimate is around $8 billion higher than the previous figure of $29 billion released by President Donald Trump’s administration in May. Even so, it remains much lower than other estimates. Moody’s Analytics believes the total economic impact could reach $150 billion, taking into account higher energy prices and other costs affecting American consumers.
The announcement came as fighting between the United States and Iran continues after a temporary halt in attacks ended last week. The ceasefire based on a memorandum of understanding collapsed, leading to renewed military action.
President Donald Trump warned that Iran would “pay” after two US soldiers were killed over the weekend. Since then, the United States has continued air strikes, while Trump has also threatened to target Iran’s energy facilities, bridges, Kharg Island and the underground nuclear-linked site known as Pickaxe Mountain.
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Iran has responded by promising to continue attacks on US interests in the region. Recent strikes reportedly damaged desalination and power plants in Kuwait, while other locations in Bahrain and Jordan were also hit. The Houthis in Yemen, who are close allies of Iran, have also announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.
During the hearing, Hegseth said the war has placed heavy pressure on US weapons supplies. He argued that more funding is needed to increase production of military equipment, including solid rocket motors, JDAMs, hypersonic weapons and counter-drone systems.
He also warned that military training could face cuts if Congress does not quickly approve the requested defence budget. According to Hegseth, urgent funding is needed to support both current military operations and future readiness.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray strongly criticised the massive budget proposal. She questioned why it also includes money for National Guard deployment in Washington, DC, operations against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and military patrols along the US border. She told Hegseth, “So I’ll be blunt. The truth is, your request does not make a lot of sense.”
