A senior Pentagon official has told lawmakers that the United States’ ongoing war with Iran has cost approximately $25 billion so far, marking the first official estimate of the financial burden of the conflict. The disclosure has intensified political scrutiny in Washington, particularly as lawmakers debate the economic and strategic implications ahead of upcoming elections.
The estimate was presented by Jules Hurst III during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee. Hurst, currently performing the duties of comptroller, indicated that the majority of the spending has gone toward munitions, though he did not provide a detailed breakdown or clarify whether long-term costs—such as rebuilding damaged infrastructure in the Middle East—were included in the figure.
Democratic lawmakers, including Adam Smith, responded by noting that they had repeatedly sought clarity on the cost of the conflict and welcomed the disclosure after months of uncertainty. The $25 billion figure has drawn comparisons to the annual budget of NASA, highlighting the scale of the expenditure in a relatively short period.
Questions remain about how the estimate was calculated. Earlier reports from Reuters suggested that the initial phase of the conflict—just the first six days—may have cost at least $11.3 billion, indicating a rapid escalation in spending as the war progressed.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the cost of the campaign, framing it as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He argued that the strategic objective justified the financial outlay and rejected criticism that the war risked becoming a prolonged and ineffective engagement. During the hearing, he also criticised opponents of the conflict, accusing them of undermining national interests through their objections.
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States launched military strikes against Iran. Since then, both sides have maintained a fragile ceasefire, although tensions remain high. The Pentagon has significantly increased its military presence in the region, deploying tens of thousands of additional personnel and maintaining multiple aircraft carriers in nearby waters. The human cost has also been notable, with 13 US troops reported killed and hundreds more injured.
Beyond the battlefield, the economic impact of the war is becoming increasingly visible. Disruptions to global energy supplies—particularly oil and natural gas shipments—have contributed to rising fuel prices in the United States. Data from the American Automobile Association shows that average gasoline prices have reached their highest levels in nearly four years. Increased costs have also affected other sectors, including agriculture, where fertiliser prices have risen.
These economic pressures are shaping the political landscape ahead of the midterm elections. With control of Congress at stake, Democrats are attempting to link the rising cost of living to the war, arguing that the conflict is contributing to inflation and financial strain on households. At the same time, polling data from Reuters/Ipsos indicates declining public support for the war effort, with approval levels dropping to 34 percent, down from higher levels in previous months.
As the conflict continues, both its financial cost and its broader political consequences are expected to remain central issues in the US domestic debate.
