India, July 22 -- The cost of United States' war on Iran, that began on February 28, has now surpassed $37.5 billion, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has said. The figure is an increase by nearly $8 billion since May estimates.

"The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion," Hegseth told a Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, AFP reported. He added that the amount also included some anticipated military operations and maintenance costs through September 30.

Hegseth asked lawmakers to approve a supplementary $87 billion funding request for the Department of Defense. Of that amount, $67 billion would be earmarked directly for active operations across the Gulf, he said.

"We live in a dangerous world," Hegseth said, arguing t...