Arabic version: تصاعد النقاش حول تكاليف حرب إيران في الكونغرس
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers regarding the financial implications of the ongoing war in Iran during a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing. The Pentagon reported spending $25 billion on the conflict, primarily on munitions and equipment maintenance. However, many Democratic leaders and economists argue that this figure significantly underrepresents the true costs, which they estimate could range from $630 billion to as much as $1 trillion. According to Al Jazeera, Hegseth criticized Congressional Democrats for their handling of the situation, asserting that their rhetoric posed a greater challenge than the conflict itself.
During the hearing, Pentagon officials acknowledged the need for a supplemental funding request to cover additional costs associated with the war. Acting comptroller Jay Hurst indicated that the $25 billion estimate only accounts for direct war costs, excluding broader economic impacts. Representative Ro Khanna challenged this figure, linking the war’s financial burden to rising gas and food prices in the U.S., which he claimed could total around $631 billion.
As the war continues, the Trump administration has proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for the coming year, marking a significant increase in military spending. The conflict has also led to increased gas prices, with current averages reaching $4.23 per gallon, the highest since 2022. This spike has adversely affected President Trump’s approval ratings, with a recent poll indicating only 22% approval for his handling of the cost of living.
The Pentagon’s military actions have reportedly resulted in at least 3,375 fatalities in Iran, with 14 U.S. service members confirmed dead and more than 200 injured. The U.S. military has engaged in extensive operations, claiming to have targeted over 13,000 sites in the early stages of the conflict. The costs of reconstruction and damage repairs are expected to add significantly to the overall financial burden, with estimates for repairs to damaged military facilities already reaching billions. As the situation evolves, the debate over the true costs of the war on Iran remains contentious and unresolved.
