WASHINGTON: The United States has spent an estimated $37.5 billion on its military campaign against Iran, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who disclosed the latest figure during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Hegseth shared the estimate while appearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine defended the administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. The spending plan includes nearly $70 billion earmarked for military operations linked to the conflict with Iran.

During the hearing, Senator Dick Durbin asked about the financial cost of the ongoing war. Hegseth replied that the Pentagon’s current assessment places the total expenditure at $37.5 billion.

“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” he said, adding that the amount also includes certain operational and maintenance expenses expected to continue through the end of September. He did not provide further details about how the costs were calculated.

Although the Pentagon’s estimate focuses on direct military spending, economists believe the overall economic impact could be significantly higher.

Moody’s Analytics has projected that the broader cost to the United States could climb to $150 billion when indirect effects—such as higher fuel prices, supply chain disruptions, and increased costs for consumers and businesses—are included.

The latest figures come as lawmakers closely examine the administration’s record-high defense spending proposal amid continued military operations in the Middle East. The conflict has intensified debate in Washington over both the strategic goals of the campaign and its long-term financial implications for the US economy.

The Senate hearing highlighted growing concerns among lawmakers about the rising cost of military engagement, with questions continuing over how long the United States can sustain large-scale operations while balancing domestic economic priorities.