Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate, revealing the Iran conflict has cost $37.5 billion so far, as the White House requests $87.6 billion in emergency funding to sustain military operations.
Escalating Conflict
The conflict has escalated significantly, with nearly 100 U.S. service members injured since fighting reignited in early July and 18 killed since the war began in late February. Among the fallen is Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina, who was killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq.
President Donald Trump emphasized the ongoing nature of the campaign, saying, ‘So if we left right now, it would take Iran 20, 25 years to rebuild. But we’re not finished at all.’ The financial toll of the conflict is also mounting. Hegseth warned of critical consequences if the requested funds are not approved.
President Trump is expected to attend a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for the recently fallen service members. ‘I’ll be going to Dover for something that I feel is… it’s a great honor for me to do it,’ Trump said.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
