US Defence Department seeks $80bn to fund Iran war, military operations

The United States Department of Defense is expected to ask Congress to approve about $80 billion to cover the cost of the Iran war and other military expenses, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

 

The report said Deputy Defence Secretary Stephen Feinberg shared the funding request with lawmakers this week, citing people familiar with the discussions.

 

The proposed funding comes amid growing criticism of President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict, with some Americans accusing the administration of spending billions of taxpayer dollars on the Middle East war while inflation and fuel prices continue to rise at home.

 

According to the report, Pentagon officials have warned they could run out of operational funds in the coming months unless Congress approves a new wartime spending package.

 

The newspaper added that the military may be forced to scale back training exercises and troop deployments along the US-Mexico border if additional funding is not secured.

 

The Pentagon disclosed last month that the cost of the war with Iran had risen to nearly $29 billion, although Democratic lawmakers and other critics argued the actual cost could be significantly higher when broader losses and damage are considered.

 

Concerns have also emerged over the impact of the conflict on US weapons stockpiles. Last month, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao cited the war as one of the reasons for pausing arms sales to Taiwan, although Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed claims that the US was facing a munitions shortage.

 

According to the report, part of the proposed $80 billion would be used to replenish munitions, pay military personnel and support naval operations.

 

The conflict, which began after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in late February, has disrupted the oil-rich Middle East and affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.

 

Although the United States and Iran recently signed an initial peace agreement, tensions remain high following renewed fighting involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon, while planned negotiations in Switzerland have been postponed.

 

Some members of Congress have indicated they will oppose any additional war funding unless the military campaign receives formal congressional authorisation.

 

Democratic lawmakers have accused President Trump of violating the US Constitution by launching the military operation without prior approval from Congress, noting that the War Powers Act requires presidents to obtain congressional authorisation within 60 days of committing US forces to hostilities.