Story perspectives

Hegseth Pushes $454B Pentagon Rise, Says Iran War Cost $37.5B

7/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked for a $454 billion increase to the 2027 Pentagon budget, raising the request to nearly $1.5 trillion.
He also sought $67 billion in supplemental funding for the current fiscal year.
Hegseth said the Iran war cost $37.5 billion, contrasting NBC News’s report of Department estimates between $80 billion and $100 billion.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) pressed Hegseth on war costs, infrastructure damage and absence of President Donald Trump’s approval.

History

Historical Context

The 1991 Gulf War, led by President George H.W. Bush, assembled a 42-nation coalition where U.S. troops comprised about 74% of roughly 956,600 soldiers. Gulf states, Germany and Japan contributed $52 billion to the effort. That massive defense outlay created a precedent for large supplemental appropriations, a pattern reflected in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 2027 request for a $454 billion boost.

1 of 2

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked for a $454 billion increase to the 2027 Pentagon budget, raising the request to nearly $1.5 trillion.
He also sought $67 billion in supplemental funding for the current fiscal year.
Hegseth said the Iran war cost $37.5 billion, contrasting NBC News’s report of Department estimates between $80 billion and $100 billion.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) pressed Hegseth on war costs, infrastructure damage and absence of President Donald Trump’s approval.

1 / 2