The United States Department of Defense has requested an additional $200bn to fund its illegal war against Iran, as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to set any timeline for the operation and left the decision on its end to President Donald Trump.
The request, first reported by The Washington Post and confirmed by officials speaking to AP, arrives less than a month after the conflict began and would mark one of the largest single increases in US military spending in recent years. Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon that the figure “could move” and added, “it takes money to kill bad guys”.
The funding proposal sits on top of an annual defence budget that already exceeds $800bn and follows a further $150bn approved in 2025 through Trump’s tax and spending legislation. According to Pentagon estimates cited by the BBC, the war cost $11.3bn in its first week alone, with some reports placing daily costs at around $1bn.
Hegseth refused to outline any end date for operations. “We wouldn’t want to set a definitive timeframe,” he said during a press conference. “It will be at the president’s choosing, ultimately, where we say, ‘Hey, we’ve achieved what we need to.’” He added that US forces have struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran and described the campaign as progressing according to plan.
President Trump defended the scale of the request, stating from the White House that it reflects broader military needs. “This is a very volatile world,” he said. “We want to have vast amounts of ammunition.” He also linked the demand to depleted stockpiles following US support for Ukraine.
The administration has not yet formally submitted the request to Congress, where approval remains uncertain. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns over the cost, the absence of a clear strategy, and the lack of prior authorisation for military action.
Betty McCollum, the senior Democrat on the House subcommittee overseeing defence spending, said Congress would not approve funds without scrutiny. “This is not going to be a rubber stamp for the president of the United States,” she said, according to AP. She added that lawmakers still await details on how previous allocations have been spent.
Other Democrats voiced stronger opposition. Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X that the war “will cost $200B” while prices rise and casualties mount. “And for what?” he asked. Senator Ed Markey said he would not support “a penny more for this endless, illegal war”.
Republican leaders signalled support in principle but stopped short of endorsing the full amount. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had not reviewed the proposal but backed adequate defence funding. “I support what’s needed to ensure that the American people remain safe,” he said. Majority Leader Steve Scalise said negotiations with the White House would determine the final figure.
The political debate unfolds against a backdrop of rising federal debt, which has passed $39tn, and a projected annual deficit of $1.9tn, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Analysts note that the proposed sum alone approaches a quarter of the current defence budget and exceeds total US support to Ukraine since 2022, estimated at $188bn.
The war has also begun to affect the US domestic economy. Oil prices have risen following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, where US forces have targeted Iranian fast-attack vessels. General Dan Caine said A-10 aircraft are operating in the area while Apache helicopters engage Iran-aligned groups in Iraq.
Military risks remain evident. A US F-35 jet made an emergency landing after a combat mission over Iran, with officials saying it had been struck by suspected Iranian fire, according to reports cited by the BBC. Each aircraft has an estimated cost of up to $77m.
Public opinion has shifted as the conflict continues. Polls referenced by US media indicate that a majority of Americans oppose the war, adding pressure on lawmakers ahead of midterm elections later this year. The administration has also left open the option of deploying ground troops, though the White House said no decision has been made.
Historical comparisons have emerged in political debate. Early estimates for the Iraq war ranged between $100bn and $200bn, though total costs later reached into the trillions. Critics argue that the current request risks repeating past underestimations.
The Pentagon maintains that further funding is required to sustain operations and replenish stockpiles. “We’re going back to Congress… to ensure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future,” Hegseth said.
HT