New Delhi [India], June 25 : The White House has sent an $87.6 billion supplemental spending request to Capitol Hill, including $67.1 billion in defence funds to cover expenses linked to the war in Iran.
The request comes nearly four months after the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran in late February. The Pentagon says the additional funds are needed to replenish weapons, support operations, and strengthen military capabilities.
Last month, Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jules Hurst told a congressional panel that the war had cost around $29 billion so far. However, defence analysts and lawmakers said the estimate did not reflect the full financial impact of the conflict.
Funding Breakdown and Military Costs
According to the request obtained by Breaking Defense, the package includes:
$21 billion to replace spent munitions
$5.1 billion for cybersecurity and autonomous systems
$2.4 billion for drones
$4 billion for airborne surveillance and space data systems
$12.1 billion for classified programmes
$17.3 billion for operational costs
$1.7 billion for military readiness
$1.5 billion for fuel expenses
The request also includes $1.2 billion for “Administration priorities” and $800 million for National Guard support.
However, the proposal does not specify which weapons systems or military capabilities would receive additional funding if approved.
Fight Over War Spending
Republican leaders on the House Appropriations Committee backed the request, saying the military needs resources after the operation.
House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole and Rep. Ken Calvert said in a joint statement that
“Delivering a decisive blow against the world’s largest state sponsor of terror was not without cause or operational cost,”
“Our forces performed their mission with extraordinary precision and professionalism, and we must now ensure they have the resources necessary to replenish critical munitions, sustain readiness, and reinforce the capacity of our military that made such success possible.”
Democratic Senator Patty Murray criticised the move and accussed President Trump of starting an expensive conflict without congressional approval.
“President Trump launched a reckless and costly war with Iran, without authorization from Congress or the support of the American people that he should never have started, and now, instead of doing anything to help families get by, he is asking taxpayers to pick up the tab and give him billions more to wage wars overseas,” Murray said.
Trump Rejects Demand
The war has also sparked debate over financial assistance to Iran. Reports said Iran sought a $300 billion grant package but President Donald Trump refused the demand and rejected any proposal to provide such large-scale funding.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s latest request does not include military construction funds for rebuilding bases damaged during operations in Iran, leaving questions over future repair costs and the US military presence in the region.
Ends.
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