US defense secretary: Iran war has cost $37.5 billion so far

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the American war against Iran has so far cost $37.5 billion, an increase of nearly $8 billion over the last public estimate.

Hegseth told lawmakers that this figure also includes projected costs through September 30.

This marks the first time the secretary, who appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane, has faced public questions from lawmakers since US forces resumed operations against Iran earlier this month.

The United States has been waging war on Iran since late February, aiming to undermine its military and nuclear capabilities and to halt threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.