US Defense Department seeks $80 billion for Iran war and other expenses

The US Defense Department plans to request approximately $80 billion from Congress to cover costs associated with the Iran war and other expenditures, according to the Wall Street Journal. Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg reportedly shared this request with lawmakers. Pentagon leaders have indicated that without a new wartime spending bill, they risk running out of funds for operations in the coming months, potentially leading to cuts in training and troop deployment. The cost of the war with Iran was stated last month to be nearly $29 billion. Concerns about the war's impact on US weapons stockpiles were raised, with Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao citing the conflict as a reason to pause arms sales to Taiwan, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed the idea of a munitions stockpile crisis. If approved, part of the $80 billion would be allocated to munitions, personnel pay, and ship operations. The war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, has affected the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz. Some lawmakers have stated they will not support additional war funding without congressional authorization, with Democrats accusing President Donald Trump of violating the Constitution by initiating the war without congressional backing, as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Act has passed.