Pentagon seeks $200bn more for Iran war as costs mount: report

New Delhi, Mar 19: Washington: The Pentagon has reportedly asked the White House to approve over $200 billion to fund the ongoing war in Iran, according to The Washington Post, though the proposal would still require approval from Congress.

The request comes months after US lawmakers cleared a record $901 billion defence budget for the year. However, President Donald Trump has been pushing for a significant increase, arguing that defence spending should rise to $1.5 trillion by 2027 to meet what he described as “very troubled and dangerous times.”

Trump had earlier said the expanded budget would help build a “dream military” capable of keeping the United States “safe and secure.”

While the total cost of the conflict has not been officially disclosed, multiple media reports estimate that the US spent more than $11 billion in the first week of its military campaign against Iran.