The War Department is requesting over $200 billion for the conflict with Iran. 

The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a supplemental budget request for joint military operations with Israel, which will then be submitted to Congress, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, the 18th. 

The proposed aid package is understood to go beyond the initial airstrike costs, focusing on replenishing key munitions and boosting weapons production following weeks of sustained operations targeting Iranian assets. 

U.S. and allied forces have struck thousands of targets in three weeks, rapidly depleting major weapons stockpiles, according to officials familiar with the planning.

During a press conference on Thursday morning, the 19th, Secretary of War Pete Hegses was questioned about the $200 billion figure. 

He responded, "I think that number can fluctuate. It does take money to take out bad guys, obviously. So we’ll go to Congress and we’ll go to the stakeholders and we’ll get the appropriate funding for what we’ve done so far and what we’re going to do moving forward, and to make sure that we are replete in munitions and all materiel, and that we’re supported beyond just replenished."

According to the Washington Post, administration officials are reviewing various funding options, and there is skepticism within the White House about whether Congress will approve such a large sum.

The initially reported cost was $50 billion.

The submission of this proposal is expected to spark significant political division in Washington.

Democrats have expressed opposition to the conflict, while Republicans have stated their support for maintaining U.S. military power, though they have yet to find common ground on legislative strategies to secure the necessary votes.

The $200 billion cost is likely to be equal to or exceed U.S. spending on the war in Ukraine, which reached approximately $188 billion by the end of last year.

According to initial estimates cited in congressional briefings, over $11 billion was spent in the first week of operations alone. Analysts suggest that the cost of the war could reach $1 billion per day, depending on the pace of airstrikes and troop deployments.

The debate over this funding also highlights broader concerns about federal spending.

As of March 2026, the U.S. national debt surpassed $39 trillion, reaching an all-time high. This marks an increase of over $5 trillion in just over two years, compared to $34 trillion in January 2024.

With growing fiscal deficits and increasing interest payments as a proportion of the budget, some lawmakers are wary of approving further supplemental appropriations without a long-term strategy.

However, proponents of these efforts argue that national security must remain a top priority, especially as tensions in the Middle East threaten global stability and key energy transport routes.

President Donald Trump, who has emphasized strong national defense, has previously criticized overseas military spending and has repeatedly stated that the conflict could be concluded relatively quickly.

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Editor of NNP, Special Correspondent for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com