Hegseth: Iran War Has Cost $25 Billion in First Hill Hearing

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that Operation Epic Fury has cost the United States approximately $25 billion, almost entirely in munitions expenditures — the first time senior Pentagon officials have testified before Congress since the air campaign against Iran began on February 28.

Hegseth appeared alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine in what marked the administration’s first formal accounting of the conflict to lawmakers, coming one day before the 60-day War Powers Resolution clock runs out on May 1.

The $25 Billion Figure

Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst III provided the cost estimate during the hearing, describing the expenditure as driven overwhelmingly by precision-guided munitions used in strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. Hurst did not break down the figure by strike package or weapons system, and no classified supplement was made public.

The number drew immediate scrutiny from members of both parties. Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith pressed Hegseth and Caine for a clear strategic endgame — what conditions would define success, what would trigger a drawdown, and who had authority to set those benchmarks. Neither official offered a specific threshold.

For context on how the conflict’s economic footprint has grown across energy markets, see our earlier coverage of oil and defense stocks during the Iran crisis.

Hegseth Attacks Congressional Critics

The secretary’s sharpest exchange came when he was challenged on the administration’s war aims. Hegseth responded by turning his criticism toward lawmakers themselves.

“The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans,” Hegseth told the committee.

The comment drew audible reaction in the hearing room and set up a tense back-and-forth with members who argued that congressional oversight of an ongoing war is a constitutional obligation, not obstruction.

Senate Again Rejects War Powers Resolution

The hearing came one day after the Senate voted down a war powers resolution for the fifth time, 46 to 51 along party lines. Sen. Rand Paul was the only Republican to cross over in favor. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote against it.

The pattern of near-party-line defeats has not fully quieted Republican dissent. Sens. Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, and John Curtis have each signaled in recent days that they may move to demand formal congressional authorization for the conflict. Democrats are separately exploring legal avenues, with members consulting outside counsel about the viability of a lawsuit challenging the administration’s continued military operations without congressional approval.

The constitutional and procedural stakes of the May 1 deadline are detailed in our explainer on the War Powers 60-day deadline.

Oil Markets, Blockade Reports

The hearing unfolded against a backdrop of deepening economic pressure from the conflict. Brent crude traded above $115 per barrel on Wednesday and WTI above $102, with the International Energy Agency describing the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the largest supply disruption in oil market history. Gas prices at the pump have risen more than $1 per gallon since Operation Epic Fury began.

Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported that senior White House aides have been directed to develop plans for an indefinite naval blockade of Iranian ports. President Trump reinforced the threat posture on Truth Social, posting a warning that Iran should “get smart soon,” accompanied by imagery that drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Euronews reported the blockade planning and the social media posts earlier Wednesday.

The administration’s cancellation of planned diplomatic contacts with Pakistan — seen as a potential back channel — was reported earlier this week. That development is covered in our piece on Trump canceling Islamabad talks amid the Iran blockade.

The UAE’s announcement that it will exit OPEC on May 1 has added further uncertainty to energy markets already stressed by the Hormuz closure.

What Comes Next

The immediate legislative calendar centers on the May 1 War Powers deadline. If the administration does not seek and obtain congressional authorization by then, war powers law technically requires a halt to hostilities — a provision the White House has shown no indication of complying with, and which has never been enforced against a sitting president.

The Armed Services Committee has not announced a follow-up hearing date. Gen. Caine indicated during Wednesday’s session that operational planning documents could be provided to members in a classified setting upon request.