Pentagon Needs 80 Billion US Dollars to Cover the Cost of War with Iran

JAKARTA - The Pentagon needs funds of 80 billion US dollars (around Rp1.428 trillion) to cover the cost of war with Iran as well as various other non-war-related needs.

The Wall Street Journal said the statement was made by US Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg. to members of parliament in a series of telephone conversations this week,

Citing sources familiar with the discussions, the WSJ reported that US Defense Department officials warned the country's armed forces could run out of operational funds this summer if Congress did not immediately pass a new war funding bill.

Any additional Pentagon budget requests must first receive approval from the White House Office of Management and Budget before being submitted to Congress. The US Department of Defense budget for the 2026 fiscal year currently reaches around 1 trillion US dollars.

According to the report, sources familiar with the discussions said the Pentagon was so confident in the plan that Feinberg had briefed lawmakers in recent days.

Some of the additional funds will be used for warship operations, military personnel salaries, and the procurement of ammunition, among other needs, said one of the sources.

The report also said the US government's request for additional funds, which includes funds for the Pentagon as well as various non-defense priorities, could be sent to lawmakers in the coming days.

Feinberg's efforts to communicate with lawmakers coincide with a meeting between US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and a number of senior Republican senators on Capitol Hill this week.

During the meeting, the possibility of additional requests for defense funds was also discussed, according to members of parliament.