Hegseth Says US War Against Iran Has Cost $37.5 Billion

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Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — The US war against Iran has cost the US about $37.5 billion, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, giving the most up-to-date official estimate for a conflict that shows no signs of ending soon.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountHegseth gave the estimate in an appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday that was focused on President Donald Trump’s request for an additional $67 billion in defense funding. Pentagon officials had said in mid-May that the war had cost around $29 billion — a figure that didn’t account for damage to US bases.At the hearing, Hegseth faced criticism from Democrats over the growing costs of an unpopular conflict that has raised energy prices as it has intensified in recent weeks after a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran unraveled. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“I would hope for some perspective in this town of the historic nature of what President Trump is undertaking,” Hegseth told the committee. “Do you want radical Islamists to have a nuclear bomb?”Hegseth said the $37.5 billion estimate covered military operations through today “for certain aspects,” and some anticipated costs such as pay through Sept. 30. It was unclear whether the figure accounted for damage to bases.In written remarks submitted to lawmakers, Hegseth revealed that the funding request includes $21 billion to speed up the acquisition of high-end missiles and other munitions that US forces used in large numbers during the war.He also said the Pentagon wanted $2 billion to replace “equipment lost or damaged during combat operations,” as well as $11.6 billion to invest in drones, satellites and other technologies.Trump has played down the prospect of more diplomatic talks with Iran, with Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen now threatening shipping in the Red Sea — an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz that’s been largely shut by Tehran’s retaliation since the war began on Feb. 28.Hegseth, who declared victory in the war against Iran in April when the ceasefire was announced, faced tough questions about why the war was expanding rather than winding down. “This war is now spiraling out of control again, the president is threatening escalation and war crimes and suggesting this could be another forever war,” the committee’s top Democrat, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, said. “He has told us over 40 times now that a deal is near, and the war will be over soon. But now he is asking for $70 billion more, and for us to just trust him it’ll work out fine.”Democrats have repeatedly suggested the big funding requests signaled the administration was planning for a longer conflict. Hegseth rejected their negative characterizations of the US strategy, saying the large defense budget requests were a “generational” investment required to modernize the Defense Department’s weapons and capabilities. This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Hegseth was also asked about his comments earlier in the war claiming victory and suggesting Iran’s military had been rendered “combat ineffective,” even as it was able to attack Gulf nations with one-way attack drones and keep the Strait of Hormuz largely closed to commercial traffic. “No one ever stated that every single missile was gone,” Hegseth said at one point. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine, who testified alongside Hegseth, also faced questions about the US strategy of relying mostly on long-range munitions and whether the US could defeat Iran through air power alone.“Academically, as you look across the totality of history, air power’s got limits, and we always have to be mindful of those,” Caine replied. Although Hegseth was calm and composed throughout most of the hearing, he grew combative during a tense exchange with Senator Gary Peters, Democrat of Michigan, near the end of a roughly three-hour hearing. “Shame on you and others who call this a quagmire and a failure, and then you want to turn around and say you support the warfighter,” Hegseth said.“You, sir, are the failure,” Peters said. “Not the men and women who are on that front line.”“Why don’t you show some leadership and stand up to your fellow Democrats, who won’t fund the troops?” Hegseth said. “You have Trump derangement syndrome and can’t actually commit to anything meaningful.” —With assistance from Sonya Dymova.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.