The United States Department of Defense has requested an additional $200 billion in funding to support its ongoing military campaign against Iran, marking one of the largest wartime budget proposals in recent history.
According to a report by The Washington Post, the Pentagon has asked the White House to approve the request and forward it to Congress for consideration. The proposed amount is nearly double the total funding approved for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, highlighting the scale of the current conflict.
Speaking at a White House event on Thursday, President Donald Trump acknowledged the request, describing the war as unpredictable and complex.
“We are being very careful. We want to have vast amounts of ammunition, but a lot was used up supporting Ukraine,” he said.
Official figures show that Congress has approved about $188 billion for Ukraine so far, with roughly $110 billion already spent as of late last year.
Trump defended the new funding proposal, arguing that it is necessary to maintain U.S. military strength. “We want to be in the best shape we’ve ever been in. It’s a small price to pay to ensure we stay ahead,” he added.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not confirm the exact figure but admitted that increased funding would be required. “It takes money to deal with threats. We need to be properly prepared for what lies ahead,” he said.
Meanwhile, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett revealed that the conflict has already cost the United States about $12 billion, raising concerns about the long-term financial impact.
The duration of the war remains uncertain. When U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran on February 28, Trump initially suggested the operation could last four to five weeks. However, he later acknowledged that it might take longer.
While the U.S. president has recently expressed hope for a swift resolution, Iranian officials have pushed back, insisting that Tehran will determine when the conflict comes to an end.
