Pentagon must divulge cost of Iran war under House proposal

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee advanced a proposal on Friday requiring the Defense Department to disclose the full cost of U.S. operations in Iran, including damaged property, expended munitions, and unplanned deployments. The amendment, added to the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, mandates an unclassified report to the House and Senate armed services committees by April 1, 2027, with public availability on the Pentagon’s website. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran, introduced the amendment, citing concerns over taxpayer costs. During an April 29 hearing, Moulton questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about the financial burden, estimating potential costs at $100 billion, or roughly $600 per U.S. taxpayer. The U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, following escalating tensions. Pentagon officials previously estimated the total cost of the Iran war at $29 billion as of May 12, up from $25 billion on April 29. Acting Defense Department comptroller Jules Hurst III noted these figures excluded expenses for repairing damaged military installations in the region. A Congressional Research Service report from May 13 identified 42 U.S. aircraft lost or damaged, with drones accounting for 25 of the losses. The report would also include costs related to the ongoing U.S. Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. While the Pentagon has withheld details on munitions expended before the April 7 ceasefire with Iran, a May 27 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles launched and 290 THAAD interceptors used during strikes. The measure aims to increase transparency amid rising concerns over military spending and operational security.