Pentagon gives new $29bn Iran war price tag, downplays munitions concerns

"The Pentagon has released a new price tag for the US-Israel war with Iran, saying it has cost the United States $29bn. The department's comptroller revealed the new total during a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday alongside Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. The estimate is an increase from the $25bn the official, Jules Hurst, reported to members of Congress in late April, the first time the administration of US President Donald Trump had given an official figure."

"Several experts have questioned the Pentagon's ledger, saying the real cost to US taxpayers was likely much higher. Fighting has remained generally paused in the US-Israeli war since April 8, barring a handful of flare-ups. Hurst attributed the discrepancy in the earlier to an updated repair and replacement of equipment and also just general operational costs. The administration has so far not offered a clear picture of damage sustained at US military installations across the Middle East since the US and Israel began launching attacks on February 28, nor has it revealed the true extent to which the fighting has affected the military's munitions stockpile."

"Asked about concerns over the US's ability to replenish its weapons supply without weakening its global posture, Hegseth said the Pentagon was well aware of all those dynamics. The munitions issue has been foolishly and unhelpfully overstated, Hegseth told the House Appropriations subcommittee. We know exactly what we have; we have plenty of what we need. The Pentagon chief also gave little indication of long-term plans for the war, a day after Trump rejected a new ceasefire proposal from Iran."

"Trump told reporters the ongoing pause in fighting was on life support and was unbelievably weak. Hegseth said there were plans to both resume fighting and to de-escalate. We have a plan to escalate if necessary, he said. We have"

Defense Secretary Hegseth told a congressional panel the United States is prepared to escalate or wind down the war. The Pentagon comptroller reported a new cost estimate of $29bn for the US-Israel war with Iran, an increase from $25bn previously provided to Congress. Experts have questioned whether the true cost to taxpayers is higher than the Pentagon’s figures. Fighting has largely remained paused since April 8, with limited flare-ups. The administration has not provided a clear assessment of damage to US military installations or the impact on munitions stockpiles. Hegseth said the Pentagon knows its inventory and has sufficient supplies, and he indicated plans to resume fighting or de-escalate depending on circumstances.

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