Middle East crisis live: US war on Iran has cost around $29bn, Pentagon says

From 10h agoUS war on Iran has cost about $29bn, Pentagon says

The Pentagon revealed on 29 April that the US war on Iran had cost about $25bn for roughly two months of spending. Asked if there are any updated costs associated with the war as of today, Jules Hurst III, chief financial official for the Pentagon, said:

“At the time of testimony… it was $25 billion dollars. But the joint staff team and the comptroller are constantly looking at estimates and now we think it is closer to 29.”

“And that is because of updated repair and replacement of equipment costs and also just general operational costs to keep people in theatre,” he added.

The US defense secretary Pete Hegseth then said “we will share what we can” when it is “relevant and required” after being pressed on when more “formal accounting” on the costs of the war will be shared with Congress and the House appropriations committee’s defense subcommittee.

post, Israel hammered south Lebanon with strikes on Tuesday ahead of talks between the two countries in Washington this week, as Beirut reported that Israeli attacks have killed 380 people since the 17 April ceasefire took effect.","elementId":"40aeb011-154f-4397-a992-73548a693291"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Israel has intensified its attacks on south Lebanon, where it continues to trade fire with Hezbollah despite the ceasefire. Under the truce terms released by Washington, Israel reserved the right to act against “imminent threats”.","elementId":"ec51231f-3693-4662-aa48-aabaef7d5b46"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

After Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed 13 people in the south, including two rescuers responding to an earlier raid in the city of Nabatieh and a wounded person they went to save, Lebanon’s health ministry decried Israel’s “complete disregard for all international norms”.","elementId":"a1a314ef-2015-427a-84ea-d93ba5214980"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Lebanon’s health minister Rakan Nassereddine told a press conference on Tuesday that since the ceasefire, “380 people have been killed and 1,122 wounded”.","elementId":"cff0c095-6615-4915-8991-0edd0b05f194"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Iran’s chief negotiator said on Tuesday that Washington must accept Tehran’s latest peace plan or face failure, after days of warnings from Donald Trump warned the truce is on the brink of collapse.","elementId":"9ef713c6-38c8-4bf6-8d9e-904ea1e28e53"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“There is no alternative but to accept the rights of the Iranian people as laid out in the 14-point proposal. Any other approach will be completely inconclusive; nothing but one failure after another,” Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X.","elementId":"e821ec64-0b4d-4606-b4ce-6a9abdd1f008"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

The longer they drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it.\n","elementId":"6ef7fca9-d275-4854-87da-1710ef248839"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

It comes as the Pentagon revealed that the cost of the war to the US had climbed to nearly $29bn – about $4bn higher than an estimate offered two weeks ago.","elementId":"21d753fc-65ab-47d8-a7cf-5ed06b2318e0"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Asked how much the impact of the war on Americans’ personal finances factored into his thinking in negotiations with Iran, Donald Trump earlier told reporters on the White House lawn:","elementId":"c666bb2b-877f-4d85-b093-20a582488545"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

Americans’ financial situation ... I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.\n","elementId":"eca416e9-5132-4335-91b9-bb932be95b2b"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778621170000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"23.26 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778621441000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.30 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778621365000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"23.29 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"23.29","title":"Iran says US must accept its peace plan or face 'failure'","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 13 May 2026 01.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 12 May 2026 08.47 CEST"},{"id":"6a039a7b8f082e881a333cf8","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Israeli strikes killed 13 people in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, including a soldier, a child and two rescue workers, the Lebanese health ministry said.","elementId":"2db9f088-ab79-45a0-97a5-d2779125ce60"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“A strike on the city of Nabatieh left five dead, including two Civil Defence rescuers,” the ministry said, while another strike in around Jebchit left four dead “including a soldier and a Syrian national” and a third strike in Bint Jbeil killed “four civilians, including a child and a woman”.","elementId":"b51aa631-5701-4083-9eee-a95ba9b1d409"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778621051000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"23.24 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778621109000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"23.25 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778621109000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"23.25 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"23.25","title":"Lebanon says Israeli strikes in the south killed 13","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 13 May 2026 01.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 12 May 2026 08.47 CEST"},{"id":"6a0393068f088307798707cc","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

We now have a few more details on the 4.6 magnitude earthquake that was reported in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Tuesday, via Iranian state media.","elementId":"fa56e33d-a74f-4b88-bd51-236f3db8d5cc"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The quake was at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles), state media reported, citing the country’s seismological centre.","elementId":"05b8a51a-52a6-48cf-b908-b25e039b7498"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

There was no immediate report of casualties or damage from the quake, which struck the border area between Tehran and Mazandaran.","elementId":"4f9ab251-442d-48c1-a1b3-ac727b24d23a"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778619142000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"22.52 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778619291000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"22.54 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778619209000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"22.53 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"22.53","title":"Earthquake of 4.6 magnitude hits Tehran, Iranian state media reports","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 13 May 2026 01.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 12 May 2026 08.47 CEST"},{"id":"6a0387008f082e881a333c79","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

It marks the first time Saudi Arabia is known to have directly carried out military action on Iranian soil and shows the kingdom is becoming much bolder in defending itself against its main regional rival.","elementId":"b66261fa-0502-4d88-b055-97cbc9147ddd"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Launched by the Saudi Air Force, the attacks were assessed to have been carried out in late March, the two western officials said. ⁠One said only they were “tit-for-tat strikes in retaliation for when Saudi was hit”.","elementId":"9fa3c56e-dc51-40b0-a3a6-4c164d99245b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

In response to a request for comment, a senior Saudi foreign ministry official did not address directly whether strikes had been carried out.","elementId":"8ff6ea23-3107-4249-8c19-8c334c27206c"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The Pentagon revealed on 29 April that the US war on Iran had cost about $25bn for roughly two months of spending. Asked if there are any updated costs associated with the war as of today, Jules Hurst III, chief financial official for the Pentagon, said:","elementId":"4e2c3c2f-6a17-4b7d-b7f8-732f9ac82ab7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“At the time of testimony… it was $25 billion dollars. But the joint staff team and the comptroller are constantly looking at estimates and now we think it is closer to 29.”","elementId":"6bb0df2f-082a-47ee-82e0-da536e961730"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“And that is because of updated repair and replacement of equipment costs and also just general operational costs to keep people in theatre,” he added.","elementId":"9f7d45a2-0266-44f3-8b35-0e207b1c2fa7"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Hegseth was asked by the House appropriations committee on defence if there was a “plan B” should Congress not authorise continuing military operations against Iran. Were there, for example, plans in place to draw down troops or to protect assets in the region, the subcommittee asked.","elementId":"399e86e3-a9d2-4358-9aa8-2e45a7ee51e0"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Hegseth said:","elementId":"abefbef3-4669-400b-9b99-8bf990621351"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.BlockquoteBlockElement","html":"\n

I would say we have a plan for all of that. We have a plan to escalate if necessary. We have a plan to, retrograde, if necessary. We have a plan to shift assets.\n

But certainly in this setting, we wouldn’t reveal what the next step may be, considering the gravity of the mission that the president is undertaking to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear bomb.\n","elementId":"a90b4e04-56ab-4d91-8d8a-f44a4a5c0fcb"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778589702000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"14.41 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778590204000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"14.50 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778590024000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"14.47 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"14.47","title":"Hegseth: 'We have a plan to escalate if necessary'","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 13 May 2026 01.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 12 May 2026 08.47 CEST"},{"id":"6a031d148f08f8bc3844a1d5","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Hegseth once again invoked religious language in his speech, saying the US was on a “sacred mission”, although he did not explicitly mention the war against Iran.","elementId":"a5d8dcc6-d6bb-4ef3-b7ef-db374a4c2da1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“May almighty God continue to watch over all of our troops, and may we honour the legacy of those brave Americans that we’ve lost,” he said.","elementId":"d6aec6fe-daee-4aa2-86d4-0d268ca823f3"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

Pete Hegseth begins his speech to the House appropriations defence subcommittee by justifying Trump’s defence budget request of $1.5tn.","elementId":"28b24b47-ca30-4dd3-a9eb-d1c8e09d688b"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“President Trump inherited a defence industrial base that had been hollowed out by years of America last policies,” the US secretary of defence said.","elementId":"ef1dd630-a0ac-4638-ab7a-9dd6e0109432"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

“We are reversing this systemic decay and putting our defence industrial base back on a wartime footing.”","elementId":"f274724f-a59a-4753-8662-d8ecfeed51f4"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

He added: “The $1.5tn budget will ensure the United States continues to maintain the world’s most powerful and capable military.”","elementId":"dabe2383-51b9-4968-b5b9-b8946d4fafbe"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778588486000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"14.21 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778590761000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"14.59 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778588929000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"14.28 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"14.28","title":"$1.5tn defence budget will maintain US as 'world's most powerful military', says Hegseth","contributors":[],"primaryDateLine":"Wed 13 May 2026 01.01 CEST","secondaryDateLine":"First published on Tue 12 May 2026 08.47 CEST"},{"id":"6a0314848f0883e855282d48","elements":[{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

The US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, and Jules Hurst III, chief financial official for the Pentagon, are due to testify before the House appropriations subcommittee on defence shortly.","elementId":"e90690fe-0da1-4ea0-9cc1-cf222d8fd3b1"},{"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement","html":"

We will bring you the latest as they will be asked about expenditure in relation to the war on Iran and military operations/capability. You can watch live here:","elementId":"28d469cb-5fc9-43c3-b2be-a83d39aafa3f"},{"expired":false,"assetId":"ONLMRGkb-Og","posterImage":[{"url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b41fe4ab973fe8a7cd8199f44aad311df7e0df42/0_0_2764_1555/2000.jpg","width":2000},{"url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b41fe4ab973fe8a7cd8199f44aad311df7e0df42/0_0_2764_1555/1000.jpg","width":1000},{"url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b41fe4ab973fe8a7cd8199f44aad311df7e0df42/0_0_2764_1555/500.jpg","width":500},{"url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b41fe4ab973fe8a7cd8199f44aad311df7e0df42/0_0_2764_1555/140.jpg","width":140},{"url":"https://media.guim.co.uk/b41fe4ab973fe8a7cd8199f44aad311df7e0df42/0_0_2764_1555/2764.jpg","width":2764}],"id":"4c54e4f9-7247-4213-97fd-1c1b77a11823","elementId":"d30bac99-1f4a-44dc-a2e8-feb5703d7d67","duration":0,"_type":"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement","mediaTitle":"Hegseth and Caine testify before House appropriations subcommittee on defense – watch live","channelId":"UCIRYBXDze5krPDzAEOxFGVA"}],"attributes":{"pinned":false,"keyEvent":true,"summary":false},"blockCreatedOn":1778586756000,"blockCreatedOnDisplay":"13.52 CEST","blockLastUpdated":1778587561000,"blockLastUpdatedDisplay":"14.06 CEST","blockFirstPublished":1778587305000,"blockFirstPublishedDisplay":"14.01 CEST","blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone":"14.01","title":"Hegseth and Caine testify before House appropriations subcommittee on defence","contribut