Washington, July 22 -- Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee for the first time since the US-Iran conflict re-escalated this month, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war has already cost USD 37.5 billion, warning that the price tag is expected to rise as military operations continue while offering little clarity on how or when the conflict would end, even as President Donald Trump threatened fresh military action against Iran.
Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth sought congressional approval for a USD 87.6 billion supplemental funding package, including more than USD 67 billion for military operations, arguing that the United S...