U.S. Defense Spending and Oversight

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the U.S. campaign in Iran has cost "about $12 billion" so far and that "right now, we've got what we need," signaling no immediate supplemental funding request even as lawmakers prepare for one. Pentagon officials privately told Congress the early tab was roughly $11.3 billion for the first days—an admitted low‑end estimate that omits pre‑buildup and other costs—while independent tallies and ongoing strikes (some estimates as high as $16.5 billion in the first 12 days) coincide with rising oil prices and regional shipping and market disruptions.