Iran war has cost US $37.5bn so far, Hegseth says, as Pentagon seeks billions more

After being interrupted by protesters, Hegseth went on to say his funding request came at an urgent time."Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls that threaten our ability to also simply pay our service members, rapidly replenish equipment and munitions, and sustain vital operations without disruption," Hegseth said.Every dollar appropriated, he added, would be used to build the "lethality" of US military forces and "reinforce peace through strength".Senate Appropriations Committee chairwoman Susan Collins, a Republican, questioned Hegseth over what the impact would be if the budget needs were not met.Hegseth said current and future training for military members would need to be cut without the funds, as he repeatedly blamed former President Joe Biden's administration for what he said was an underfunded military.The most senior Democrat on the committee, Patty Murray, pushed back on the funding request, saying it "does not make a lot of sense".Asked by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin if he had an estimate for how much the war in Iran has cost so far, Hegseth gave the $37.5bn figure.