Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, before the Senate Appropriations Committee that the cost of the ongoing war in Iran has reached $37.5 billion. He stated the Trump administration requires nearly twice that amount to continue military operations in the coming months. This new figure is an increase from the roughly $30 billion estimate presented earlier in July and the $25 billion figure given by Pentagon officials in late April.

Hegseth explained that his estimate includes payroll, operations, maintenance, and other anticipated costs through the end of the budget year. Meanwhile, the Defense Department is formally requesting $67 billion in supplemental funding from Congress. This request comes after $891 billion was previously approved to fund the Pentagon through September.

NBC News reported earlier in July that the Defense Department’s internal calculations place the overall cost of the war between $80 billion and $100 billion. This broader estimate accounts for repairing damaged U.S. military bases, replacing destroyed aircraft, and fully replenishing American weaponry, according to three U.S. officials. However, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller told lawmakers that the $37.5 billion estimate does not include rebuilding bases but does cover replenishing munitions.

The hearing occurred as the conflict in Iran intensifies following the collapse of an April ceasefire deal. President Donald Trump has pledged continued retaliation after three U.S. service members were recently killed. Additionally, increasing Iranian strikes and a U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz have brought shipping in the critical trade route to a near standstill.

Sources