Kathmandu — The U.S. Department of Defense has requested more than $200 billion in additional funding to support military operations related to the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post.
The Pentagon submitted the proposal to the White House as the conflict entered its third week, the report said. Officials stated that the requested amount is significantly higher than the cost incurred so far in the war.
The funding is intended to replenish and repair advanced weapons systems and military equipment used in operations targeting various locations in Iran since February 28, according to the report.
White House Preparing to Forward Proposal to Congress
The White House is preparing to send the proposal to the U.S. Congress, although the final amount to be requested has not yet been confirmed, The Washington Post reported.
Officials indicated that the full amount proposed by the Pentagon may not be approved. One official cited in the report said the likelihood of Congress approving the entire request remains low.
The proposal is expected to face political challenges. Democratic leaders have criticized the war, while Republicans have expressed support but have not outlined a clear strategy. With 60 votes required in the Senate, the proposal is likely to face difficulty in securing approval.
Rising Costs Highlight Pressure on U.S. Defense Spending
The United States has used high-cost, advanced weapons extensively in the conflict, contributing to rising military expenses, although no official total cost has been publicly disclosed. President Donald Trump had pledged during his second term to reduce U.S. military involvement abroad, but current developments suggest defense spending continues to increase.
Congress has previously approved nearly $188 billion in aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. The budget proposal process is being led by Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg, who has long advocated expanding defense production capacity, particularly for precision-guided weapons.
Analysts say the proposed budget will test political support in Congress and reflect broader public opinion on the war.
