Pentagon asks for roughly $200 billion as officials say there is no set end date

The Department of Defense has requested about $200 billion to cover U.S. and allied operations against Iran, according to news reports. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the figure could change, but made clear the military effort does not have a defined end point.

Asked about the $200 billion number, Hegseth said, "I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys." He added the Pentagon is going back to Congress to make sure it is "properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future."

No definitive timeframe

Hegseth repeatedly declined to set a timeline for the operation. "We wouldn’t want to set a definitive timeframe," he said, adding that the campaign is "very much on track" and that the president will decide when to stop. "It will be at the president’s choosing, ultimately, where we say, 'Hey, we’ve achieved what we need to.'"

The Pentagon has reported striking more than 7,000 targets across Iran, and officials said the most recent action was the largest strike package so far.

Congress, money and political friction

Any supplemental request would require congressional approval. That is not guaranteed. Congress already approved more than $800 billion for the Pentagon this fiscal year, and lawmakers provided about $150 billion in additional defense funding through last year’s tax measure.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have concerns. Some Republicans control Congress but remain cautious about large new spending. Many Democrats want detailed plans and clear objectives before authorizing more funds. Representative Betty McCollum, the top Democrat on the House defense spending subcommittee, warned she would press for information and said, "This is not going to be a rubber stamp for the president of the United States."

House Speaker Mike Johnson signaled he was open to supporting what is needed for national security, but said he had not yet reviewed the request details.

White House and president comments

President Donald Trump defended the funding request during a joint appearance with Japan's prime minister, saying the money was needed for reasons beyond the Iran campaign. He described the current world as "very volatile" and argued the military needs more ammunition and supplies, saying some stockpiles were reduced after providing assistance to Ukraine.

Trump also said the conflict could be ended quickly if desired, but that leaders are choosing a measured approach. "You could end this thing in two seconds if you wanted to. But we are being very judicious," he said.

How the military is operating

Top U.S. military officer General Dan Caine outlined weapons and tactics being used in the campaign. His briefing highlighted a mix of aircraft and attacks aimed at Iranian forces and allied groups in the region.

  • A-10 Warthogs: Reportedly hunting and attacking fast attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that officials say Iran effectively closed to maritime traffic after the fighting began.
  • AH-64 Apaches: Deployed in Iraq to target Iran-aligned militia groups. Some U.S. partners are using Apache attack helicopters to counter one-way drones launched by Tehran's forces.

What comes next

The defense funding request is large and politically sensitive. If the White House transmits a formal supplemental to Congress, lawmakers will have to weigh strategic details, budget priorities, and political appetite for more military spending. For now, Pentagon leaders say they need additional resources while refusing to set a hard deadline for the campaign's end.