US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told a Senate hearing on Tuesday that the official cost of the US-Israel war on Iran has reached $37.5 billion. The figure is $8 billion higher than the previous estimate of $29 billion released in May.

Hegseth provided the number in response to questioning from Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, noting it includes some operations and maintenance costs through the end of September, but declined to elaborate.

However, the official estimate is significantly lower than independent assessments. Moody's Analytics has projected the domestic cost to US consumers at up to $150 billion, factoring in higher energy prices.

During the hearing, Hegseth highlighted strains on weapons stockpiles, calling for funding to "expand production lines and accelerate delivery of high-demand munitions," including solid rocket motors, JDAMs, hypersonics, and counter-drone capabilities.

Democratic Senator Patty Murray questioned the $1.5 trillion defense budget request, which also includes funding for National Guard deployment in Washington, DC, anti-drug operations in the Caribbean, and border patrols. "Your request does not make a lot of sense," she said bluntly.

Source: www.aljazeera.com