13 May 2026

Agency: The United States Department of Defense has revealed that the cost of the ongoing conflict with Iran has climbed to nearly $29 billion, as President Donald Trump faces increasing scrutiny over the war and its impact on military readiness.

The updated figure was disclosed during a budget hearing at Capitol Hill on Tuesday, marking an increase of around $4 billion compared to the estimate shared two weeks earlier by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, and Pentagon financial chief Jules Hurst III were testifying on the proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027 when lawmakers sought clarification on the latest war expenses.

Addressing the hearing, Hurst said the estimated cost had stood at $25 billion during the previous review based on Hegseth’s April 29 assessment. However, after further analysis by Pentagon officials and financial teams, the projected spending has now risen close to $29 billion.