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World
The Pentagon's estimated cost for a conflict with Iran has jumped to roughly $29 billion, a $4 billion increase in under two weeks.
The estimated price tag for a potential military confrontation with Iran has ballooned to approximately $29 billion, according to a Pentagon official. This marks a $4 billion jump from the figure provided to lawmakers less than two weeks earlier.
Jay Herst, the Pentagon’s comptroller, disclosed the updated cost during testimony, explaining that the increase stems from expenses tied to repairing and replacing upgraded equipment, as well as broader operational costs. The previous estimate, given by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Capitol Hill appearance, stood at $25 billion.
The New York Times reported that Hegseth is facing mounting pressure from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers to provide clearer details on how the operation would be financed, particularly regarding any additional funding outside the Pentagon’s base budget.
Representative Ken Calvert, a Republican who chairs the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, pressed Hegseth on the timing of a formal funding request. “It would be helpful to get the supplemental sooner rather than later so we can start working on it,” Calvert told the secretary.
Hegseth responded by downplaying concerns over ammunition supplies, stating, “First of all, the ammunition issue has been blown out of proportion in a way that is not logical and not helpful. We know exactly what we have, and we have enough.” He added, “We will provide anything we think we need.”
According to the newspaper, Hegseth did not mention Iran in his opening remarks during the hearing, which was convened to review the Pentagon’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year—a request totaling roughly $1.45 trillion.
