Jakarta, ThedailyID — The United States has spent US$37.5 billion on its military campaign against Iran, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as the conflict continues without a decisive outcome.
Speaking during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on July 21, Hegseth said the administration is also seeking an additional US$67 billion to cover war-related expenses, replenish military stockpiles, and support ongoing operations.
He also requested a US$1.5 trillion defense budget for the next fiscal year.
The comments came as President Donald Trump signaled that the US could further escalate military action against Iran.
In an interview with Axios on July 23, Trump said he was considering launching a military operation that would be “far larger than before.”
“I’m very close to making a decision. We’re fully prepared,” Trump said.
He added that Israel would join the operation “within two minutes” if requested but insisted the United States did not require outside assistance.
Despite nearly two weeks of sustained military operations, analysts say Washington has yet to achieve a clear strategic victory.
Victory Remains Unclear
Military strategist Mick Ryan, a senior fellow affiliated with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Australia’s Lowy Institute, said the United States’ theory of victory has become increasingly uncertain.
Ryan argued that modern military success cannot be measured solely by battlefield achievements.
“The concept of victory must include objectives beyond military activity,” Ryan wrote. “It must also address long-term economic, diplomatic, and social outcomes alongside short- and medium-term military results.”
According to Ryan, the Trump administration appeared to believe that precision strikes and Western intelligence capabilities could destroy Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, weaken its ballistic missile program, reduce its naval capabilities, and create conditions for political change inside Iran.
However, Iran has continued to resist.
Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said the country had entered a new phase of the conflict and would adopt different military strategies.
He said retaliatory operations would continue as long as US attacks on Iranian infrastructure and coastal areas persisted.
Akraminia added that Iran had used the ceasefire period to strengthen its military readiness.
“Today we are in a better state of preparedness than ever before,” he said.
The conflict remains ongoing, with no indication that either side is close to reaching a lasting resolution.
