US war in Iran has cost US$37.5 billion so far, Pentagon chief Hegseth says

The defence secretary was publicly facing questions from lawmakers for the first time since the US military restarted operations in Iran The cost of the United States’ war in Iran has risen to US$37.5 billion so far, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, as he faced sceptical lawmakers for the first time since heavy bombings resumed to seek urgent funding for the unpopular conflict. With just six months before midterm elections in which US President Donald Trump’s Republicans may face an uphill battle to keep their House of ‌Representatives and Senate majorities, Democrats are riding high in public opinion polls as they attempt to link the unpopular Iran war with affordability. Hegseth told lawmakers at a hearing in Washington that the US$37.5 billion included certain aspects of the war as well as anticipated costs through September 30. It was unclear how the Pentagon arrived at the figure. A source told Reuters in March that Trump’s administration estimated the first six days of the war had cost at least US$11.3 billion.

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