Pentagon urgently requests $80 billion in funding after Iran war: WSJ

The Pentagon has informed US lawmakers that it requires approximately $80 billion in emergency supplemental funding to address expenses related to the US military operations in Iran and other pressing budgetary needs.

Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg conveyed this request during recent phone calls with congressional members, according to reports from individuals familiar with the discussions cited by The Wall Street Journal.

Military officials have warned that the armed services risk depleting funds for essential operations as early as this summer without congressional approval of a new wartime spending measure.

This shortfall would compel reductions in training exercises and other critical priorities, exacerbated by the financial demands of the Iran war and additional troop deployments along the US southern border.

The US military campaign against Iran, designated as Operation Epic Fury, commenced on February 28.

It involved joint efforts with ‘Israel’, including strikes that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Pentagon estimates indicate that the conflict has incurred costs of around $25 billion to $29 billion to date, predominantly for munitions, equipment repair and replacement, and operational expenses.

Earlier projections from the Pentagon to the White House suggested a supplemental request exceeding $200 billion.

However, the Trump administration scaled back the figure amid bipartisan concerns and pushback in Congress, settling on a range of $80 billion to $100 billion.

The current $80 billion ask encompasses both direct war-related expenditures and other non-war bills.

A ceasefire is currently in effect, with a formal memorandum of understanding signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the near term.

Despite this, lawmakers from both parties continue to seek detailed breakdowns of costs, strategy, and objectives before advancing any funding legislation.

Republicans have expressed reservations about approving additional funds without greater clarity, particularly in an election year. Democrats have raised questions regarding the war's broader implications and have called for independent reviews of the Pentagon's cost assessments, citing discrepancies with external estimates.

The request arrives as the Pentagon advances a record $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal for the coming fiscal year.