Washington: The Pentagon is confronting an urgent funding shortfall driven largely by the ongoing conflict in Iran, with key military accounts expected to run dry within weeks as US President Donald Trump expands the military engagement, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing US officials.
According to Anadolu Agency, the budget strain has already forced the military to scale back on training and maintenance essential for readiness. The collapse of the ceasefire with Iran is anticipated to escalate costs further, especially after the deaths of four US service members during renewed fighting, raising expectations of a more extensive conflict.
The White House has requested $67 billion in emergency funding, but Congress remains at an impasse. With the House set to begin a month-long recess, additional military funding appears unlikely in the short term. Representative Pat Harrigan, a Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging lawmakers to abandon their complacency.
Pentagon press secretary Sean Parnell stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would take necessary measures to maintain military readiness, highlighting the critical nature of defense funding. Hegseth, along with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, is set to advocate for the administration's funding request before the Senate Appropriations Committee, while White House budget director Russell Vought is expected to brief Republican lawmakers.
The conflict, initiated by Trump in late February, was initially predicted to conclude within weeks. However, it has continued for months, exacerbated by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global oil and fertilizer trade, contributing to economic instability. Vought informed lawmakers that the war had cost approximately $30 billion so far, though analysts believe the actual figure is significantly higher, excluding the costs of rebuilding US bases damaged by Iranian attacks.
The prolonged conflict has placed a heavy burden on the US Navy and Air Force, with funding for ongoing operations projected to deplete by the end of the month. In an attempt to sustain operations until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, the Pentagon has reallocated funds from training, maintenance, and weapons procurement, resulting in canceled exercises and deferred maintenance.
The Defense Department has also requested congressional approval for the transfer of $4.3 billion from training and weapons programs to higher-priority needs, but lawmakers have yet to act. A Trump administration official indicated that the White House is considering redirecting additional funds to Pentagon operations, though this would affect other programs.