Ankara: A Defense Department nominee informed lawmakers on Tuesday that the costs of the US war with Iran were estimated at $29 billion as of late May. However, he conceded that this figure does not account for damage to military facilities and other infrastructure, prompting criticism from Sen. Angus King regarding the absence of a more up-to-date financial assessment.

According to Anadolu Agency, Jules Hurst, President Donald Trump's nominee for Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing. The session included other Defense Department nominees as well.

During the hearing, Sen. King from Maine questioned Hurst about the financial implications of the conflict with Iran. King highlighted Hurst's previous role as the Pentagon's acting comptroller and chief financial officer until May 20, pressing him for a more current cost estimate.

Sen. King expressed skepticism about Hurst's lack of specific knowledge, saying, "Mr. Hurst, I'm unpersuaded by your professions of ignorance about the cost of the war. You were the acting comptroller, chief financial officer, of the Department of Defense until May 20. That's about seven weeks ago. And to sit here today and say, 'Well, I don't really know, and I'm not in the position.' Come on, you had to know this question was going to come up at this hearing today. How much has the Iran war cost the American people?"

In response, Hurst reiterated the previously provided estimate, stating, "I will give you the same answer I gave you during the posture hearing, that it was $29 billion at the time I left the position. If confirmed, I'm going to work."

Sen. King further inquired whether the estimate included damage to US military facilities and assets. Hurst confirmed that it did not, acknowledging the need for greater investment in "hardened and deeply buried" military facilities.

King highlighted that the $29 billion figure mainly covered the direct costs of military operations, excluding the broader financial impact of the conflict. "So, that's not part of the estimate," King noted. "The estimate that you gave of $29 billion was simply essentially munitions and expenditures as a direct result of the conflict."

Hurst concurred, detailing that the figure largely represented weapons expenditures. "I would characterize that estimate as largely munitions," he said. "From memory, it was over $20 billion in munitions, and most of the rest of that was operational cost, whether that's fuel."

When asked if he had sought updated cost figures in preparation for the hearing, Hurst said he had not, explaining that it was no longer within his responsibilities. "I felt it would be inappropriate to do so because that's not in my current role in the department," he stated.

In response, Sen. King expressed frustration, saying, "Well, I think it's very frustrating to the American people that we can't get a straight answer on what this war is costing."