US war in Iran costs $37.5 billion so far, Hegseth confirms

The United States has spent $37.5 billion on its military campaign against Iran in just 11 days, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Wednesday. The figure was disclosed as American warplanes and naval assets continue to pound targets across the country.

Hegseth made the statement during a briefing at the Pentagon. He said the cost estimate covers the first 11 days of what the US military calls Operation Persian Resolve. The campaign began on July 11.

Pentagon seeks more money

The $37.5 billion figure does not include future spending. The Pentagon is now asking Congress for additional billions to sustain the operation. Officials have not specified the exact amount being sought.

“This is a dynamic situation,” Hegseth said. “We are assessing requirements daily.” The Defence Secretary did not offer a timeline for when the campaign might end.

The cost of the war has already surpassed the annual defence budgets of many countries. India, for comparison, spent roughly $75 billion on its entire military in the last financial year.

Strikes continue without pause

US aircraft and missiles have struck Iranian military installations, air defence systems, and missile sites. The bombing campaign shows no sign of slowing down. American officials say the goal is to degrade Iran's ability to threaten its neighbours and US assets in the region.

Iran has retaliated with ballistic missile attacks on US bases in Iraq and the Persian Gulf. Both sides have reported casualties, though exact numbers remain unclear. Independent verification of battlefield claims is difficult.

The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire. Iran's mission to the UN accused Washington of waging a war of aggression. The US maintains it is acting in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Economic and political toll

The $37.5 billion price tag is already drawing criticism from US lawmakers. Some Democrats have questioned the lack of a clear exit strategy. A few Republicans have also expressed unease over the open-ended nature of the commitment.

“We are burning through taxpayer money at a staggering rate,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren in a statement. She called for a full congressional debate before any further funds are approved.

The war has also pushed global oil prices above $120 a barrel. The US Treasury has warned of inflationary pressures. India, a major importer of crude, faces higher fuel costs as a result.

Hegseth, for his part, defended the spending. “The cost of not acting would have been far greater,” he said. He pointed to Iran's nuclear programme and its support for proxy militias as threats that Washington could no longer tolerate.

The Pentagon is expected to submit a formal supplemental budget request to Congress within the next week. Lawmakers are likely to debate the request amid growing public fatigue with prolonged overseas military engagements.

What to watch: The key question now is whether the US will expand its strikes to include economic infrastructure or nuclear sites. Any such escalation would likely push the cost well past $100 billion and draw an even sharper response from Tehran.