Soaring Iran war costs spark debate in US Congress

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has estimated the cost of the ongoing US-led war against Iran at around $37.5 billion so far, requesting an additional $67 billion from Congress to continue military operations. Hegseth made the remarks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday, according to jamaicainquirer.com.

Hegseth explained that this figure far exceeds previous estimates provided by the Trump administration between April and June, which stood at $25 billion. He noted that the extra funding is needed to replenish munitions and equipment and to sustain operations, especially as US military stockpiles have been depleted.

Congressional criticism and mounting losses

Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keane faced sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican members of Congress over the rising costs and lack of clear results. Democratic Senator Gary Peters said, "Despite failing to resolve the war, you are now requesting nearly $70 billion more," demanding clear answers on how the funds would be spent.

This comes as the US continues to launch successive airstrikes on Iran, following the collapse of a previous agreement between Washington and Tehran. The number of American military casualties has risen to 18 dead and about 500 wounded, according to jamaicainquirer.com.

Widespread economic impact

The website reported that the war has had a significant impact on the US economy, with fuel prices and living costs rising due to disruptions in supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Estimates from Brown University show that Americans have paid over $72 billion in additional fuel costs since the war began, averaging $549 per household.

Analyses by the Center for American Progress also indicated that inflation has reached its highest level in three years, with rising interest rates and the consumer price index increasing by 4.2% in May.

Comparison with previous US wars

Jamaicainquirer.com noted that the costs of the war on Iran are approaching those of major past conflicts. The "war on terror" from 2001 to 2026 is projected to cost around $8 trillion, while the US spent $4.1 trillion during World War II, suffering heavy casualties in those conflicts.

The Trump administration is seeking approval for a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027, representing a 44% increase over current annual spending, according to Hegseth's statements to Congress.