Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst told Congress the States has spent roughly $25 billion on the Iran campaign, which the department labels Operation Epic Fury. The figure, the first public estimate of the war’s price tag, stems largely from ammunition consumption. The conflict has drained years of missiles, Tomahawks and Patriot and THAAD interceptors, raising alarms about readiness and strained logistics for forces operating in Middle East.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, appearing before the House Armed Services Committee, refused to project additional costs, arguing that preventing Iran’s nuclear ambitions outweighs the price. He also sidestepped questions on the war’s duration. Meanwhile, the U.S. naval blockade—over a dozen warships and 100 aircraft—continues, and a third carrier has deployed to the region for the first time in two decades.

Lawmakers will receive a supplemental funding request after the Pentagon completes a full cost assessment, though the department has already asked the White House to consider a $200 billion add‑on. The $25 billion tally, plus equipment losses and maintenance, underscores how the Iran war could pressure future defense budgets and supply chains, and could force cuts to other programs in the upcoming fiscal year.