Washington, 22 July 2026 (dpa/MIA) - The war against Iran has cost the United States an estimated $37.5 billion, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday, up from a previous estimate of $29 billion.

Speaking at a US Senate hearing in response to questions from Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, Hegseth said the figure included not only costs already incurred but also projected spending through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30.

He said the estimate covered items including military pay as well as operating and maintenance costs.

Asked by Durbin whether the continuing fighting suggested costs could rise further in the coming months, Hegseth said part of the $37.5 billion estimate already accounted for expected spending through the end of September.

Hegseth used the hearing to press Congress to approve a $67 billion supplemental defence funding request, saying the money would help maintain military readiness, replace equipment used in the conflict and accelerate investment in munitions and new weapons systems.

He said the supplemental request was intended as emergency funding and would not replace the regular base defence budget. Hegseth said his goal was a $1.5 trillion defence budget for fiscal year 2026.

The United States and Israel began airstrikes against Iran on February 28, saying the campaign was aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons.

An April ceasefire and a framework agreement for further negotiations have since been undermined by renewed attacks by both sides, fuelling concerns of further escalation. The US military says 18 service members have been killed in the conflict.

Photo: MIA archive