During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday, July 26, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the Iran War has cost approximately $37.5 billion since its start in February. However, expert estimates provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) suggest the war may have cost U.S. taxpayers more than $100 billion, especially when including damage to U.S. bases and equipment in the region.

The conflict resumed on July 7 after the Trump administration accused Iran of violating a June memorandum of understanding by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, the United States has conducted repeated strikes across Iran, including a 13th consecutive night of attacks as of Friday, while Tehran retaliated against U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq, according to Reuters.

The human cost is also significant, with 18 U.S. servicemembers killed and over 500 wounded, Reuters reported citing an anonymous U.S. official.

Stephen Semler, cofounder of the Security Policy Reform Institute, told the DCNF, "I think Pete Hegseth has lied to Congress about the cost of the Iran War. It’s already the most disliked war in history, according to my own analysis of polling data dating back to World War II."

Semler criticized Hegseth's estimate, noting the inconsistency of claiming the war cost under $40 billion while justifying a $72 billion funding request for the Iran War, including $67 billion for Hegseth's own department. He described the situation as "brazen lying."

Additionally, Murphy told the DCNF, "Congress never authorized this war with Iran and it is far past the 60-day period during which the president contends he can legally continue hostilities. Lawmakers should demand an actual strategy and plan to end this war."

This dispute highlights ongoing concerns in Congress regarding the war's authorization, costs, and strategy.

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