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The Pentagon revealed on Tuesday that the financial toll of the conflict with Iran has escalated to nearly $29 billion, a sharp $4 billion increase from estimates provided just two weeks ago.
During a 2027 budget hearing on Capitol Hill, defence officials attributed the rising price tag to ballooning operational expenses and the high cost of repairing and replacing military equipment.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the administration would eventually seek a separate supplemental funding request to cover these expenses, though he provided no specific timeline for when that request would be submitted to Congress.
The updated figures have intensified a heated debate over military readiness and government transparency.
Democratic lawmakers criticised the administration for a perceived lack of clear objectives and questioned what has been achieved at such a high cost.
Concerns are particularly focused on the depletion of advanced munitions stockpiles, such as Tomahawk missiles and Patriot interceptors.
While critics warn that these drawdowns could weaken the US in potential future conflicts elsewhere, Secretary Hegseth dismissed these concerns, insisting that munitions reserves remain sufficient and that the issue has been overstated.
The hearing took place against a backdrop of heightened tension, as a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appears to be failing.
President Trump recently characterised the truce as being on “life support” following the rejection of Tehran’s latest peace proposal.
As demonstrators interrupted proceedings to condemn the administration’s actions, the Pentagon also faced questions regarding broader strategic shifts, including a controversial plan to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany.
Despite the pushback, military leadership maintained that the current budget is necessary to meet evolving global security threats.
