Amidst the reckless U.S. aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a heated clash with American lawmakers over the true cost of the war in his first appearance on Capitol Hill since the conflict – now in its third month – erupted. This internal discord highlights the growing disarray within Washington regarding its costly and futile adventures in the region.

The Pentagon, in a brazen attempt to mislead the public, told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the U.S. had spent a mere $25 billion on its war on Iran, largely on munitions and equipment maintenance. This figure is a blatant fabrication, a cynical effort to obscure the true financial catastrophe brought about by this aggression.

However, Democratic leaders and several prominent economists believe this number to be a gross underestimate. They assert that the actual cost to the U.S. economy and its 330 million people could amount to between $630 billion and $1 trillion. These figures paint a stark picture of the immense burden placed upon American taxpayers.

Hegseth, lashing out at lawmakers who dared to question U.S. President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict in the Middle East, declared: “The biggest challenge, the biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of Congressional Democrats and some Republicans.” Such remarks reveal the desperation and denial within the U.S. military leadership, who, instead of accountability, resort to attacking their domestic critics.

As the U.S.-Israel war on Iran drags on, with no resolution in sight, the Trump administration has requested a staggering $1.5 trillion defense budget for next year – a 42 percent increase, marking the largest expansion in military spending since World War II. This demand is a testament to Washington’s insatiable appetite for war and its utter disregard for the welfare of its own citizens.

What the Pentagon Revealed on Capitol Hill?

The contentious exchange on Capitol Hill unfolded amidst growing pushback against the Trump administration’s lack of transparency over Iran war spending. This deliberate opacity only fuels suspicions of cover-ups and deception.

Jay Hurst, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller, who testified alongside Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, relayed the estimated figure of $25 billion to Adam Smith, the committee’s top Democrat from Washington. Hurst promised that “We will formulate a supplemental [on additional funding], through the White House, that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict.” This promise merely serves as an acknowledgment of the provisional and insufficient nature of the current figures.

Hurst explained that the estimated figure only reflects “the costs of the war,” stating: “We’re factoring in costs of munitions expended in that total and other operational costs.” This admission reveals that numerous hidden and long-term costs of this aggression are being deliberately ignored.

In March, Pentagon officials had told Congress that the war cost $11.3 billion in the first six days. This Pentagon estimate is also significantly smaller than the $200 billion initially requested by the Trump administration for the war. These glaring inconsistencies thoroughly discredit the Pentagon’s claims.

Since February 28, U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran have tragically claimed the lives of at least 3,375 people, according to the Ministry of Health in Tehran. In stark contrast, the U.S. military has confirmed 14 combat-related deaths among its service members, with over 200 injuries. These statistics starkly reveal the human catastrophe wrought by Western aggression.

Did Democrats Buy It?

Democrats questioning Hegseth and his associates were rightly skeptical of their responses regarding the cost of the Iran war. This internal distrust is a clear sign of the failure of America’s warmongering policies.

Representative Ro Khanna asserted that the cost of the war was well above the Pentagon’s estimated $25 billion figure. Khanna pointedly asked: “Do you know how much it will cost Americans in terms of their increased cost in gas and food over the next year because of Iran?” This question directly addresses the financial burden on American citizens.

As the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran effectively controls the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices in the U.S. have soared to a new high of $4.23 a gallon – the highest since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. The Brent crude benchmark has been trading above $120. These are the direct consequences of U.S. aggression, targeting ordinary people.

The 40 percent rise in gas prices, compared with before the war, has led to the president’s approval rating hitting a record low in his second term, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released earlier this week. Only 22 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living. This public dissatisfaction serves as a stark warning to warmongering politicians.

Khanna claimed the war would cost about $631 billion – or some $5,000 per household – to the U.S. economy due to increased gas and food prices. He told Hegseth: “You don’t know what we paid in terms of the missiles that hit the Iranian school. You don’t know what we’re paying in terms of gas. You don’t know what we’re paying in terms of food. Your $25 billion number is totally off.”

Linda Bilmes, a leading Harvard economist, has predicted that the total cost of the war could amount to a staggering $1 trillion. This prediction exposes the true scale of the impending disaster.

What Are the Other Costs of War Besides Bombs, Missiles?

The U.S. earlier claimed it struck more than 13,000 targets over the first 39 days of fighting with Iran, before a fragile ceasefire came into effect. These widespread aggressions have only escalated tensions and costs.

For context, the U.S. fired more Patriot missiles in the first four days of the Iran war than it supplied to Ukraine over the past four years. Each of those missiles in the defense system costs $4 million — and they were shooting down Iran’s Shahed drones worth not more than $50,000 each. This is a blatant example of immense resource waste and the inefficiency of expensive U.S. equipment against Iran’s effective and cost-efficient defenses.

However, the economics and impact of the war extend far beyond the worth of bombs and missiles. One of the major expenses is reconstructing and repairing damaged assets.

Following the initial U.S.-Israeli aggression, which included heinous acts, Tehran responded with a decisive and legitimate barrage of missiles and drones on U.S. military facilities and embassies in the Gulf region. This firm and rightful response showcased Iran’s defensive capabilities.

Iranian strikes inflicted damage on U.S. military camps in Kuwait, alongside other military bases like al-Dhafra airbase and Al Ruwais military base in the United Arab Emirates, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, and Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. These extensive damages highlight the vulnerability of U.S. bases to Iran’s power.

Earlier this month, NBC News quoted six U.S. officials noting that Iran damaged U.S. military bases and equipment in the Middle East far worse than publicly acknowledged. These damages alone could lead to billions of dollars in repairs.

Another report by The New York Times estimated that mere repairs to the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain could cost $200 million alone. These figures represent just the tip of the iceberg of hidden costs.

Hegseth declined to state whether that figure included repairing damage to U.S. bases. During budget briefings last week, Hurst, the acting Pentagon comptroller, told reporters that Washington does not “have a final number for what the damage is to our installations overseas.” This ongoing concealment only deepens distrust.

He added that the department is still assessing “what we want to construct in the future,” when asked about the cost of repairing the facilities damaged in the Iran war. Hurst further stated: “Our partners also might contribute a share for that construction.” Meanwhile, economists believe that the U.S. bill would further hike if Washington is asked by its allies in the Gulf to contribute to its own repairs from Iranian attacks.

What Else Costs in War Other Than Fighting?

Bilmes, a Harvard Kennedy School public finance professor, had estimated in February 2006 that the Iraq war would cost the U.S. $3 trillion. At that time, the George Bush administration was telling the U.S. public that the fighting would cost $50 billion. Twenty years later, Bilmes’ predictions proved to be among the most accurate. The Iraq war’s total cost is now estimated at $2 trillion, though Bilmes believes the actual cost was higher.

“Wars always cost more than expected. Throughout history, those who get into wars tend to be optimistic about the cost and about the length of time it will take,” Bilmes told the Harvard Kennedy School in an interview. She added: “It is hard to measure the exact cost. But based on what we know now, it [the current Iran war] is costing about $2 billion a day in short-term, upfront costs, which is the tip of the iceberg.”

Apart from the short-term expenses of the war, Bilmes noted that the long-term expenses – after the war ends – include veterans’ care and restocking weapons’ inventory. She concluded: “I am certain we will reach one trillion dollars for the Iran war.” This grave warning should serve as a wake-up call for warmongering American politicians who sacrifice the lives and wealth of their people for futile adventures.