US spends $6bn in first week of military campaign against Iran, Pentagon tells Congress

The United States spent about $6 billion in the first week of military operations against Iran, with most of the funding used for munitions and advanced missile interceptors, according to figures discussed during congressional briefings in Washington.

Pentagon officials told lawmakers that roughly two-thirds of the spending went toward weapons systems and missile defence interceptors deployed during the opening phase of the conflict, while the remainder covered operational and logistical costs.

The figures emerged during congressional discussions on defence funding, where officials indicated that additional resources may be needed to sustain operations and replenish military stockpiles.

According to a report by The New York Times, US forces have struck approximately 4,000 targets inside Iran since the conflict began. The targets reportedly included missile launch sites, naval vessels and air defence systems.

Gen. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, told lawmakers that Iran’s ballistic missile launches have dropped by about 90% since the start of the conflict, while drone attacks have declined by roughly 83%.

Despite these losses, officials said Iran still retains significant military capabilities, including roughly half of its missile arsenal.

Lawmakers review potential additional funding

Members of Congress are preparing for a possible supplemental defence funding request from the administration as the pace of military spending draws attention from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

Some officials have raised concerns about the rapid use of interceptor missiles, which can cost millions of dollars each, warning that continued high usage could strain US defence production capacity and reduce available stockpiles for other global security commitments.

Conflict raises regional and energy market concerns

The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched large-scale strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure.

Also Read: US loses nearly $2 billion worth of military equipment in first four days of Iran conflict

Iran has since carried out missile and drone attacks targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities and locations in Gulf countries, as well as cities in Israel.

The escalation has also triggered concerns about global energy markets. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route that carries around 20 million barrels of oil per day, has declined amid the ongoing tensions.