The US Department of Defense needs $80 billion to cover the cost of the war with Iran, as well as other expenses unrelated to military operations, Deputy Defence Minister said this week in telephone communications with MPs Stephen Fineberg., according to a report by Wall Street Journal, which invokes persons with knowledge of the subject.
Her story WSJ says that in the next few days a supplementary funding request from the US government could be sent to Congress, including funds for both the Pentagon and other priorities outside the defence sector, such as supporting farmers and tackling natural disasters.
Pentagon estimates in May raised the cost of war with Iran to about 29 billion dollars, vs. $25 billion in previous forecasts. The increase is attributed to the highest cost of military operations, as well as to the costs of repairing or replacing equipment and used during conflicts.
However, the total cost of the war, which the Donald Trump He started with Israel on 28 February, still under discussion in the Capitol. An initial request for additional funding 200 billion dollars had encountered strong reactions from members of Congress.
The director of the White House Budget Office, Russell Voat, had stated in April before the House of Representatives Budget Committee that it had no appreciation for the cost of the war, while defending the President's request Trump for an annual military budget of $1.5 trillion.
The new height request $80 billion does not concern only Iran-related companies. It also includes other military spending accumulated in recent months, such as security operations and deployment of military forces in various regions of the world.
The proposed budget reflects Republican priorities in view of the mid-term elections in November, in which the party seeks to maintain control of Congress. At the same time, however, it is called upon to address the increasing concern of voters about the high cost of living, increased energy prices and the financial burden caused by the war with Iran.
Political conflict in Congress expectedAny request for additional funding should first be approved by the Office for the Management and Budget of White House before officially testifying to Congress. However, its approval is expected to cause intense political confrontations, as the controversy surrounding the cost of war, the goals of American engagement and the legitimacy of certain aspects of the conflict continues.
The US government had already reduced previous estimates of the required war costs, which were higher during the early stages of the conflict, seeking to balance between the needs of military operations and increasing pressure to reduce public spending.