Iran War Cost Jumps to $29 Billion as Republicans Join Democrats Grilling Hegseth on Authorization and Pakistan

The Number That Changed

When Hegseth last testified before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the Iran war had cost $25 billion. That was last month.

Tuesday, acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told appropriators the number is now $29 billion. That's a $4 billion jump in weeks, according to CBS News.

U.S. officials familiar with internal assessments told CBS News in April that the real cost could climb to $50 billion. Hegseth is calling the $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request — a 42% increase over 2026 levels — "fiscally responsible."

Republicans Aren't Just Waving This Through

The dispute over the Iran war extends beyond Democratic opposition.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told Hegseth she intends to introduce a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force for the Iran operation. Hegseth's response: "We don't need it." His exact words, per The Hill: "Our view is that he has all the authorities he needs under Article 2."

Murkowski isn't alone. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) have already joined Democrats in supporting a measure to limit Trump's war powers. Multiple war powers resolutions have failed to advance, but the Republican dissent is real and growing.

Top House GOP appropriators also expressed skepticism about the Pentagon's funding plans, according to The Hill.

The Pakistan Complication

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) — one of the war's biggest cheerleaders, calling the operation "spectacular" — asked Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine directly about CBS News reporting that Pakistan is allowing Iranian military aircraft to park on its bases.

Caine confirmed he'd seen the report. When Graham asked whether that activity was "inconsistent with being a peace mediator," Caine dodged: "I wouldn't want to comment on that, based on the ongoing negotiations and Pakistan's role."

Hegseth also declined to address it directly.

Graham did not. "If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking, maybe, for somebody else to mediate," Graham said. "No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere."

A sitting Republican senator calling out a U.S.-aligned nuclear state for potentially sheltering Iranian military assets during an active American war represents a significant crack in the administration's coalition.

Hegseth's Congressional Criticism

PBS News, citing the Associated Press, reported that Hegseth called congressional critics — including some Republicans — "the biggest adversary we face at this point," framing them as "reckless naysayers."

The Defense Secretary characterized elected lawmakers asking budget questions as the principal opposition, rather than foreign adversaries or cost overruns.

Coverage Gaps Across Outlets

Fox News coverage emphasized Hegseth "dismissing" concerns about U.S. munitions stockpiles as "foolish" and framed the hearings largely around Democratic opposition. The Pakistani aircraft story received less emphasis. The growing GOP dissent on war authorization received limited coverage.

CBS News and PBS provided detailed factual coverage of the cost numbers and authorization fight, though they largely sidestepped Hegseth's argument that the war achieved strategic objectives — dismantling Iran's nuclear program.

Other Developments

While Hegseth was testifying on defense, FBI Director Kash Patel was before the Senate Appropriations Committee discussing the agency's FY2027 budget request of $12.5 billion, per The Hill. Patel also pushed back on reports of excessive drinking, calling them "baseless." Separately, Martin Makary departed the FDA on Tuesday. The Hegseth hearings dominated coverage.

Where Things Stand

The Iran war cost $25 billion a month ago. It's $29 billion now. Internal estimates say it could reach $50 billion. Pakistan may be sheltering Iranian aircraft while serving as mediator. The ceasefire is described by Trump himself as on "life support."

The Defense Secretary's response to congressional oversight has been to identify critics as the principal adversary. Regular Americans paying for the operation are receiving limited transparency about its scope or trajectory.