Washington: The United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) has sought nearly $80 billion in additional funding from Congress to support ongoing military operations related to the Iran conflict, even as diplomatic efforts and peace talks continue in parallel, according to media reports.
The funding request was communicated to U.S. lawmakers during briefings on Capitol Hill, where Pentagon officials warned that the military is facing rising operational costs linked to the prolonged conflict. The proposed amount is expected to cover expenses such as munitions replenishment, troop deployment, ship operations, and other wartime requirements.
According to reports, the Pentagon has not yet formally submitted the supplemental budget request through the White House Office of Management and Budget, but senior defence officials, including Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg, have already informed lawmakers about the urgency of the funding need.
The request comes as the Trump administration pushes for a broader defence budget reportedly close to $1.5 trillion, reflecting a significant increase in U.S. military spending priorities amid global tensions.
Lawmakers in Congress are expected to closely scrutinise the proposal, with divisions already emerging over continued military involvement in Iran and the financial burden of the conflict. Some members have raised concerns about rising costs at a time of economic pressure, inflation, and uncertainty over the war’s long-term objectives.
The Iran conflict, which has escalated since its onset earlier this year, has already placed significant strain on U.S. military resources, with earlier estimates suggesting billions of dollars in daily operational expenses.
The funding proposal is likely to trigger intense political debate in Congress, where approval of any additional wartime spending would require broad bipartisan support.