The war with Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but the bill is likely much higher, experts have told CNN.

Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators that America has spent $37.5 billion on the war to date as the Pentagon requests additional funds.

Two oil tankers made U-turns a day after the Iran-backed militant group in Yemen threatened traffic in another vital shipping route. President Trump said he expected to keep firing on Iran after trading attacks for 10 straight nights.

The defense secretary’s estimate, revealed at a combative Senate hearing, is up from the $25 billion Pentagon officials gave in late April. NBC News has reported the amount is much higher.

The Iranian crisis has dominated the headlines for months. But discussion of Iran has become narrowly focused on geopolitical tensions related to oil exports, military conflict, and the persistent threat of the regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capability.

The Pentagon wants $21B to replace the weapons it already has used as alarm bells ring about sustaining the conflict with available munitions going forward.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. war against Iran has cost $37.5 billion so far. Hegseth is facing questions and protests at a Senate hearing Tuesday over the U.S. war against Iran.

The figure, provided to the Senate Appropriations Committee, is $9 billion more than the Pentagon’s last update.

The escalating war with Iran is threatening to depress Republican turnout ahead of the midterms, as new polling shows President Trump’s MAGA base increasingly turned off by the conflict. The war has consistently polled poorly among Americans broadly,

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 24th that while he is engaged in serious dialogue with Iran, he would resort to immediate military action if no agreement is reached. In response to a question about an “exit strategy” for the Iran situation during a meeting with reporters at the White House Oval Office that afternoon,