U.S. Secretary of Defense attending a Senate hearing [AP=Yonhap News]

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated on the 21st (local time) that "37.5 billion dollars (approximately 55.5 trillion won) has been spent so far" on the war with Iran.

Appearing before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that day, Secretary Hegseth made the remark and explained, "That figure includes some anticipated additional operating and maintenance costs, military salaries, and other expenses through the end of the fiscal year."

He added that of the 37.5 billion dollars, "some items represent actual costs incurred to date, while military salaries, operating and maintenance costs, and other expenses include costs expected to be incurred through September 30 (the end of the fiscal year)."

When asked if 67 billion dollars of the 87.6 billion dollars in additional budget requested by President Donald Trump from Congress was allocated to the Department of Defense, Secretary Hegseth replied, "That is generally the correct figure."

Acknowledging the point that 75 billion dollars of last year's secured budget remains unspent, he said, "It is scheduled to be allocated to plans and projects that must be pursued to rebuild our military."