US media: Iran war is draining Pentagon funds, potentially pushing defense spending to $80 billion

Odaily reported that US media coverage indicates the ongoing military operations in Iran are placing significant pressure on the US defense budget and ammunition stockpiles. According to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources, internal estimates within the US Department of Defense suggest the war and related expenditures may have already approached or reached the $80 billion mark. Officials warn that if spending continues to expand, the Pentagon could face operational funding shortfalls by summer, requiring Congress to approve emergency supplemental funding. The report notes this funding gap has not yet materialized as a formal budget request but has been raised in communications between senior defense officials and Congress. A former Pentagon financial official stated that initial estimates were around $29 billion, but actual costs could be significantly higher. Meanwhile, the conflict has also been noted to substantially deplete key US ammunition stockpiles, including THAAD and Patriot interceptor missiles. Multiple research institutions have analyzed that the US has consumed a significant percentage of relevant stockpiles, with replenishment cycles for certain types taking years, raising concerns about the military's supply chain replenishment capabilities. Additionally, a new defense authorization bill moving through Congress is expected to have a total size exceeding $1 trillion, including billions of dollars in funding for Israel-related defense systems and cooperative projects, sparking ongoing debate over the structure and resource allocation of US global military spending.