US War with Iran Costs $25 Billion So Far, Pentagon Tells Congress

Washington, April 2026 : The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has already cost an estimated $25 billion, a senior Pentagon official informed lawmakers, highlighting the growing financial burden of a war now entering its second month.

Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III disclosed the figure while testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. He noted that the spending falls under “Operation Epic Fury,” the military campaign targeting Iran.

Hurst explained that a significant portion of the expenditure has gone toward munitions, as well as operational costs, maintenance, and the replacement of military equipment. The scale of spending underscores the intensity of the conflict and the sustained deployment of US military resources in the region.

Earlier reports had indicated that the financial outlay rose rapidly in the initial phase of the war. Pentagon officials had told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing that more than $11.3 billion was spent within just the first six days of military operations, signaling a sharp escalation in costs from the outset.

The congressional hearing marked Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s first public appearance before lawmakers since the United States launched strikes against Iran. The session saw a clear political divide, with Republican members largely backing President Donald Trump’s decision to initiate military action, while Democrats pressed the administration on the war’s strategy, long-term objectives, and economic consequences.

Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about the rapidly increasing costs, the depletion of critical weapons stockpiles, and the broader impact on American citizens, particularly rising living expenses linked to the conflict. In response, Hegseth rejected much of the criticism, characterizing it as politically motivated.

He declined to provide clarity on how long the war might continue or the total projected cost, leaving key questions unanswered. However, the defence secretary defended the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for the 2027 fiscal year, arguing that such funding is necessary to maintain the United States’ military dominance.

“This budget ensures that the United States remains the most capable military force in the world as we face complex and evolving threats across multiple regions,” Hegseth said.

The rising financial toll of the conflict is expected to remain a central issue in Washington as lawmakers continue to debate its strategic and economic implications.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)