A top Pentagon official, on Wednesday, testified before Congress that the war in Iran has gulped $25 billion from the U.S. government since February 28 when the Donald Trump administration declared war on Iran. 

A chunk of the money was spent on ammunition, according to Jay Hurst, acting Pentagon comptroller and chief financial officer who gave his testimony at a House Committee hearing. Other expenses were tied to aircraft and ship operations.

The U.S. Navy mounted a blockade at the Strait of Hormuz to restrict oil vessels from passing through the critical shipping route. 

Lawmakers like California Democrat Ro Khanna grilled defence secretary Pete Hegseth, also at the hearing, on the economic cost of the war to American taxpayers.

“You’re saying that your operation is preventing a nuclear Iran. Will you acknowledge that there is an economic cost to the American people for doing what you believe is necessary?” Mr Khanna asked.

Mr Hegseth responded “an incredible economic team” was managing the situation. He justified the war as being necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear ambition.

“The question I would ask this committee is, what is it worth to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon?”