Pentagon comptroller Jay Hurst told a Capitol Hill panel that the cost of the 11‑week Iran conflict now tops $29 billion, up $4 billion from two weeks earlier. Hegseth, meanwhile, refused to disclose how much extra money the administration will seek or when it will request it. The figure reflects higher repair, replacement and general operating expenses.

Congressional leaders pressed Hegseth for a supplemental request that would cover the war’s continuing costs, but he declined to give a timetable. Hegseth also denied that the White House intends to seek congressional authorization for ongoing operations, citing the president’s Article 2 authority and a planned use of a reconciliation bill to bypass filibusters.

Defense officials noted that the Pentagon has rushed missiles and bombs from overseas commands to the Middle East, draining regional stocks and forcing U.S. production to ramp up. Gen. Dan Caine assured lawmakers that munitions remain sufficient for current tasks, while Jay Hurst warned that base‑repair costs for facilities hit by Iranian attacks are still unquantified.

Senators from both parties questioned the durability of the cease‑fire and the administration’s transparency, with some demanding an authorization for the war. Hegseth reiterated that the president possesses the necessary constitutional powers, while Republicans warned that relying on a reconciliation bill carries political risks. The debate underscores the financial and strategic stakes of the Iran conflict.