Iran war costs $37.5B to US so far as Pete Hegseth faces Senate scrutiny

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told lawmakers that the United States’ war in Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, an increase of nearly $8 billion since the last public estimate.

Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the figure also included anticipated costs through 30 September.

Hegseth, who appeared alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, faced questions and protests over the war as Republicans prepare a $95 billion budget package to fund the military and White House priorities.

Protesters interrupted Hegseth’s opening remarks, which came days after the Pentagon announced that three more American service members have died, bringing the death toll to 17.

Hegseth called the funding an “urgent, necessary” injection of money.

“Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls,” Hegseth testified.

Democratic warnings

Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the panel, warned of “another forever war”.