US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the conflict with Iran has cost the United States some $37.5bn (£28bn) so far, and is pressing Congress for a further $87bn in Pentagon funding, with $67bn earmarked for Middle East operations. The hearing, Hegseth's first appearance on Capitol Hill since fighting resumed last week, was repeatedly interrupted by anti-war protesters and grew heated, with clashes between the defence secretary and Democratic senators over the war's cost and conduct. Three American soldiers have been confirmed killed in the region, and the US carried out an eleventh consecutive day of strikes on Tuesday as Iran continues retaliatory attacks against US and allied targets.

The estimated cost has risen by nearly $8bn since a previous Pentagon figure of $29bn in May, up from an initial $11.3bn after the first week of conflict; some Democratic sources told the BBC's US partner CBS they believe the true cost is even higher, as the estimate excludes items such as repairs to damaged American bases. Hegseth warned that without the extra funding, the military would face shortfalls affecting pay, equipment replenishment and training, and blamed the Biden administration for leaving the armed forces underfunded. Committee Democrats, including Patty Murray, pushed back on the request, while the White House separately is seeking $1.5tn in Pentagon funding for the next fiscal year, which would take US military spending to a record high.