Washington (QNN)- The US Department of War has raised the estimated cost of its war on Iran to nearly $29 billion, marking a sharp increase as questions grow over military spending, strategy, and transparency inside the Trump administration.
The figure represents an increase of about $4 billion compared to estimates released just weeks earlier. Officials attributed the rise to updated calculations covering equipment repairs, weapons replacement, and broader operational costs linked to the Israeli-pushed war.
Jules Hurst, acting comptroller at the Pentagon, said military accountants continue to revise the figures as new data comes in. He confirmed that both the Joint Chiefs of Staff and internal auditors regularly review the cost assessments.
The new estimate emerged during testimony on a proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget for 2027, where senior defense officials also faced pressure to explain the financial impact of the war.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chair General Dan Caine previously cited a lower figure of around $25 billion. A US official earlier told Reuters that the first six days of the war alone cost at least $11.3 billion.
Lawmakers questioned how the Pentagon arrived at the latest $29 billion estimate. Hurst said the increase reflects updated projections for damaged equipment and ongoing operational expenses, but he did not provide a detailed breakdown.
The hearing also exposed growing political tension in Washington over the war’s cost and direction. Democrats accused the administration of lacking transparency and failing to clearly define its long-term strategy.
Representative Rosa DeLauro questioned what the United States has achieved through the war.
Representative Betty McCollum also criticized the Pentagon, accusing it of “persistent lack of transparency” and calling for clearer war planning before any additional funding approvals.
Concerns have also grown over US military readiness after months of heavy operations in the Middle East. Some lawmakers warned that missile defense systems and advanced munitions have been used at high rates, raising fears of depleted stockpiles.
Hegseth rejected claims of major shortages, saying reports of ammunition depletion were exaggerated.
However, Senator Mark Kelly warned that stocks of key systems, including Tomahawk missiles and Patriot interceptors, have been significantly strained and could take years to rebuild, potentially affecting US readiness for future wars
The testimony came as a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran continues to hold under strain. US President Donald Trump recently warned that the truce was “on life support” after rejecting a new peace proposal from Tehran.
The hearings also highlighted political divisions in Congress over war powers. Democrats accused the Trump administration of entering the war without proper authorization, while Republicans defended the president’s authority to act.
During a separate Senate session, protests disrupted proceedings as activists criticized US policy in Iran. Lawmakers also raised questions about a planned withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, a move opposed by members of both parties.
