12.05.2026 21:12
US military expenditures in the Middle East have reached enormous proportions amid tensions with Iran and support for Israel. Pentagon Deputy Comptroller Jules J. Hurst III announced in a congressional statement that the cost of ongoing operations has quickly approached $29 billion. As rising equipment repair and operational expenses strain the budget, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that they could escalate their presence in the region again if necessary.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Financial Affairs Jules J. Hurst III announced that the cost of the war conducted by the U.S. alongside Israel against Iran has reached approximately 29 billion dollars. Speaking at a budget session at the Pentagon, Hurst noted that war expenses have increased by billions of dollars in a short period.
Hurst testified alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine at a session of the House Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee.
"IT WAS 25 BILLION DOLLARS, NOW APPROACHING 29 BILLION DOLLARS"
Responding to House members' questions about the war's impact on the Pentagon budget, Hurst stated that the previously announced cost of 25 billion dollars has been updated.
Hurst said, "During my testimony before the Armed Services Committee, the figure was about 25 billion dollars. However, the joint staff team and the financial team are continuously reviewing estimates. Therefore, we now believe the cost is closer to 29 billion dollars."
REASON FOR THE INCREASE: REPAIR AND OPERATIONAL COSTS
Addressing the reason for the approximately 4 billion dollar increase in war costs, Hurst noted that updated equipment repair and replacement expenses, along with operational costs for maintaining personnel on duty, were impactful.
Pentagon officials highlighted that the logistical and maintenance burden of ongoing military operations in the region is increasing day by day.
"WE HAVE A PLAN TO RE-ESCALATE THE WAR IF NECESSARY"
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in his statement during the session, said that the Pentagon would share details about the war's costs with Congress when necessary.
Speaking about the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, Hegseth stated, "We have a plan to re-escalate the war if necessary, we have a plan to withdraw if necessary. We also have a plan to shift assets."
COST COULD REACH 50 BILLION DOLLARS
In assessments by the U.S. media, it was noted that the current cost estimate does not fully include the repair expenses for U.S. bases damaged in Iran's missile attacks.
According to experts, when repair and reconstruction expenditures at bases in the region are added, it is stated that the total cost of the war could reach between 40 and 50 billion dollars.