Hegseth,
testifying alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine before the Senate
Appropriations Committee, reported the cost covers operations, maintenance, and
troop pay through September 30—an $8 billion increase from the prior estimate.
The
officials requested an $87.6 billion supplemental package to address urgent
needs amid a budget shortfall that could force cuts to training and maintenance
within weeks.
The conflict began February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear sites after failed Geneva talks, leading to Iranian retaliation, a naval blockade, and ongoing skirmishes now in their fifth month.