Pentagon Reports $29 Billion Cost for Iran War, Requests for Additional $1.5 Trillion in Defense Funding

May 13, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress on May 12, 2026 that the 74-day U.S.-Iran war has cost $29 billion and requested $1.5 trillion in additional military funding to maintain American military capabilities. Despite Trump's claim of a 100 percent effective blockade, U.S. intelligence assessments show Iran has restored 30 of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz and retains 70 percent of its pre-war missile stockpile and mobile launchers. Diplomatic talks remain stalled after Trump rejected Iran's response as completely unacceptable, while Tehran demands the U.S. end the war, lift blockades, and release frozen assets. Trump visited China on May 13, 2026 to pressure Xi Jinping on the conflict, though he stated he does not need China's help and is focused solely on preventing Iranian nuclear weapons regardless of Americans' financial situations.

Defense budget request

▪Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appealed to Congress for at least around $1.5 trillion in additional defense funding during a congressional hearing on May 12, 2026.
▪The United States has spent at least $29 billion in the 74 days of its war with Iran as of May 13, 2026.
▪Pete Hegseth stated the $1.5 trillion request is intended to maintain the United States' posture as the most effective military in the world.

Trump China visit

▪US President Donald Trump arrived in China on May 13, 2026, a visit that comes after nearly nine years.
▪Donald Trump is expected to discuss the Iran conflict and the Strait of Hormuz with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his May 13, 2026 visit.
▪Donald Trump stated he does not think he needs Xi Jinping's help with Iran, saying the US will win it one way or the other, peacefully or otherwise.

Iran missile capabilities dispute

▪Iran still possesses nearly 70 percent of its mobile missile launchers according to US intelligence assessments prepared in early May 2026.
▪Donald Trump stated the only thing that matters when talking about Iran is that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
▪A US intelligence assessment shows Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites that Iran currently maintains along the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
▪Iran retains roughly 70 percent of its pre-war missile stockpile, including ballistic and cruise missiles, according to US intelligence assessments prepared in early May 2026.
▪Around 90 percent of Iran's underground missile facilities are now considered partially or fully operational according to classified US intelligence assessments prepared in early May 2026.

Hormuz blockade effectiveness

▪The Strait of Hormuz remains closed since the US-Iran war began on February 8, 2026.
▪Donald Trump stated the American blockade of Iranian ports on the Strait of Hormuz was 100 percent effective.
▪Iran's official embassy handle in South Africa responded to Donald Trump's Truth Social posts stating Iran has the Iranian sense of humor and is on the right side of history.
▪Donald Trump posted two AI-generated images on Truth Social on May 12, 2026 showing US air force attacking Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Mediation efforts

▪Talks between the United States and Iran remain halted after Donald Trump called Iran's response to the US proposal completely unacceptable.
▪Iranian Ambassador to China Rahmani Fazli said Beijing is viewed as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran.
▪Donald Trump stated he does not think about Americans' financial situations as he negotiates with Iran, not even a little bit.
▪Donald Trump backed Pakistan's role as a mediator with Iran, stating Washington is not reconsidering finding another mediator.
▪An advisor to Iran's supreme leader warned on May 12, 2026 that Donald Trump should not mistake the current lack of fighting between the US and Iran as a victory.

Perspective of Donald Trump administration

▪Donald Trump stated the only thing that matters when talking about Iran is that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.
▪Donald Trump stated he does not think about Americans' financial situations as he negotiates with Iran, not even a little bit.