US Media: Iran War Depleting Pentagon's Funds, Could Raise Defense Spending to $80 Billion

June 21 — U.S. media are reporting that the ongoing military operation in Iran is putting massive strain on the Pentagon’s defense budget and critical ammunition stockpiles. According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter, the U.S. Department of Defense’s internal projections peg total war and related costs at or near $80 billion. The Pentagon has warned that if spending continues to escalate, it could run out of operating funds this summer, forcing Congress to pass emergency supplemental appropriations. While the funding shortfall hasn’t yet translated into an official budget request, it’s been raised in discussions between senior Pentagon officials and lawmakers. Former Pentagon financial experts say initial estimates came in around $29 billion, but actual costs could be far higher. Additionally, the conflict is significantly depleting U.S. critical ammunition stockpiles, including THAAD and Patriot interceptor missiles. Multiple research institutions have analyzed that the U.S. has consumed a large portion of these reserves, with replenishment timelines for some munition models stretching several years — sparking concerns about the military supply chain’s resilience. Compounding these pressures, the latest iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) moving through Congress is projected to exceed $1 trillion. It includes billions in appropriations for Israeli-related defense systems and cooperative projects, reigniting ongoing debates over the structure of U.S. global military spending and resource allocation.