Hegseth: The war has cost 364 billion

 

TT

 

Published 18:30Updated 23:25

  

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants increased funding. Image from last week. Photo: Matt Rourke/AP/TT

The US war against Iran has so far cost the country the equivalent of 364 billion kronor. This is what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Senate hearing.

At the same time, there are reports that the military's coffers are running low and that the Pentagon is being forced to save elsewhere.

The Iran war is draining the rest of the defense of money, while the bill for the war is rising. Since May, costs have increased, from 29 billion to 37.5 billion, according to Pete Hegseth.

In a Senate committee hearing, where he defended why the White House has requested an additional $67 billion to cover the costs of the war, he said that without new money, training new soldiers will have to be suspended. On the other hand, if the money comes, it would be an investment in the future to keep America safe, he claims.

Hegseth was forced to interrupt his opening remarks several times by several people protesting the war.

Attack on nuclear energy?

He reiterated previous information that Iran's military capabilities have been largely knocked out and said that the primary goal remains to ensure that Iran can never develop nuclear weapons. However, he would not answer questions about a possible attack on the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La mountain, also known as Pickaxe Mountain, which is located near the Iranian nuclear energy facility in Natanz.

While Hegseth referred to military secrecy, President Donald Trump said earlier on Tuesday that "we will very likely strike that area quite soon."

Ahead of the hearing, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has begun to see the bottom of its coffers and that the money will run out within a few weeks, despite the Pentagon saving elsewhere.

Will have to wait for the money

According to sources, both the Air Force and the Navy are believed to have used up their entire annual budget by the end of this month and the Pentagon is already reportedly moving spending items to other accounts. At the same time, more war-preparatory exercises are being curtailed, while others are being canceled altogether.

But Trump and Hegseth will likely have to wait for more money for the military and, by extension, the war.

Even if Republicans were to gather enough votes to pass the desired $87 billion in funding – $67 billion of which would go to the war effort – the House of Representatives goes on a month-long recess on Thursday and when they return, the Senate will be off. So a funding boost could come in September at the earliest.