The United States Department of Defence has requested about $200 billion in additional funding to support the ongoing war with Iran, signalling a significant escalation in US military spending.
The Pentagon asked the White House to approve the request and forward it to Congress for consideration.
The proposed funding is nearly double the total amount approved for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022, The Washington Post reported.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the request on Thursday during a White House event, describing the conflict as highly unpredictable.
“We are being very judicious. We want to have vast amounts of ammunition, but it was taken down by giving so much to Ukraine,” he said.
Data from a special inspector-general report indicate that Congress has approved about $188 billion for Ukraine since the war began, with roughly $110 billion already spent as of December last year.
Trump defended the proposed spending, saying it was necessary to maintain military readiness.
“We want to be in the best shape we’ve ever been in. It’s a small price to pay to make sure that we stay at the top,” he added.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly confirm the $200 billion figure but underscored the need for increased military funding.
“It takes money to deal with bad actors,” Hegseth said.
Adding that the department requires additional resources for potential future operations.
“This kind of funding will ensure we are properly prepared going forward.”
Meanwhile, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett disclosed that the conflict has already cost the United States about $12 billion.
The duration of the war remains uncertain. When US and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on February 28, Trump initially suggested the conflict could last four to five weeks, but later acknowledged it might take longer.
Although the US president recently expressed optimism that the war could end soon, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the timeline would ultimately be determined by Iran.
“Iran will determine when the war ends,” the spokesperson said, underscoring ongoing tensions between the two sides.
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