The war against Iran has cost the U.S. $25 billion so far.

Pentagon officials released that figure Wednesday as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, went before the House Armed Services Committee for a budget hearing.

The Department of Defense is asking for a 40% increase in its budget — to a record-breaking $1.45 trillion.

Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton questioned Hegseth about the purpose, success and cost of the Iran war.

Hegseth called the war an “astounding military success.”

After the hearing, Moulton spoke with WBUR’s All Things Considered host Lisa Mullins.

This segment aired on April 29, 2026.