Pentagon denies reports of plans to request additional $200 bln for war against Iran

Lead

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has denied reports that the Trump administration plans to request an additional $200 billion from Congress to fund military operations against Iran. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, Hegseth responded to questions from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) about the reported funding request.

Coverage Comparison

The denial was reported by TASS, the Russian state news agency, which covered Hegseth's comments at two separate hearings: one before the House Armed Services Committee and another before the Senate Armed Services Committee. In both instances, Hegseth clarified that while a supplemental funding request is possible, the amount specifically for Iran operations would be less than $25 billion, with the majority of any larger request going toward replenishing US munitions stockpiles.

The Washington Post, which originally broke the story in March, reported that the US military was seeking more than $200 billion to continue operations against Iran, and later revised that figure to $80-100 billion in early April. Hegseth challenged the accuracy of these reports, telling Senator Gillibrand, "We didn't ask for $200 billion. I don't know where you got that number from... I think you got it from the news — you should be careful where you read the news."

Key Claims

• Possible supplemental request: Hegseth confirmed during the House Armed Services Committee hearing that the administration might submit a supplemental funding request to Congress. He said the majority of the funds would be for munitions to replenish US arsenals, not exclusively for Iran operations.

• Funding amount for Iran: Hegseth stated that any request specifically for continuing the military operation against Iran would be "less than $25 billion," adding that a broader request could include additional funds for other purposes, though he did not specify a total amount.

• Denial of $200 billion figure: Hegseth directly rejected the $200 billion figure during the Senate hearing, asserting that the administration had not asked for that amount. He did not comment on the Washington Post's revised $80-100 billion figure.

Perspectives

Hegseth's comments suggest a nuanced position: while acknowledging the need for additional funding, he sought to correct what he characterized as misinformation about the scale. His remarks indicate that the administration considers replenishing munitions a priority, with Iran operations being a smaller component.

The Washington Post's reporting, which is cited as the origin of the $200 billion figure, remains unverified by Hegseth, but the newspaper later adjusted its estimates. Whether the administration will formally submit a supplemental request and in what amount remains unclear.

This story reflects ongoing tensions between the executive branch and Congress over the costs of military engagements. Some lawmakers, like Senator Gillibrand, have pressed for transparency regarding the administration's intentions, while Hegseth urged reliance on official statements rather than press reports.