Pentagon Under Budget Pressure from Middle East Conflicts

JAKARTA - The United States Department of Defense/Department of War (Pentagon) is under pressure to bear the costs arising from military operations in Iran and a number of other unexpected assignments, Fox News reported, citing US military officials.

A number of these operations are not included in the budget plan for fiscal year 2026, thus adding to the Pentagon's resource burden and forcing US military leaders to make difficult decisions regarding spending.

The unannounced operations include Operation Epic Fury (operasi EpicFury) in Iran, a southern border security mission, as well as National Guard assignments.

The financial pressure is getting heavier due to the increase in fuel prices.

As reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Thursday, June 4, the Chief of Naval Operations of the US Navy, Admiral Daryl Caudle, told the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee in May that the Navy needed to reduce the cost of routine operations if it did not receive additional funding.

On February 28, the United States and Israel began launching joint attacks on a number of targets in Iran that resulted in more than 3,000 casualties.

On April 8, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire. After the ceasefire ended, there were no reports of a resumption of hostilities on a large scale, but the United States began imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Currently, Iran and the United States are negotiating to agree on a framework of a memorandum of understanding. Meanwhile, both parties are still carrying out sporadic attacks.

The United States said military force was necessary to maintain the blockade and exercise its right to "self-defense."