Hegseth estimates Iran war has cost $37.5 billion as he defends funding request at fiery hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced fiery questions and protests Tuesday over the U.S. war with Iran, which he estimated has cost $37.5 billion so far, as Republicans prepare a $95 billion package to fund the military, along with other White House priorities.

Hegseth provided the new estimate, up from earlier assessments, during a combative Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, which came days after the Pentagon announced that three more American service members have died in the conflict, bringing the death toll to 17, and that more than 100 have been injured since early July. Several times protesters interrupted his opening remarks.

Hegseth said the supplemental war funding is an "urgent, necessary" injection of money, and with President Donald Trump's proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget a generational investment in the military.

"Without these funds, we face critical shortfalls," Hegseth testified.

But Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the panel, warned of "another forever war."

"This war is now spiraling out of control again," Murray said.

President Donald Trump has said repeatedly that "a deal is near, and the war will be over soon," she said. "But now, he's asking for $70 billion more -- and for us to just trust him it'll all work out fine."

"Why are you asking the American people to absorb the cost of a war they don't support?" asked Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

Tensions exploded toward the end of the more than three-hour hearing.

"Shame on you and others who call this a quagmire and a failure," Hegseth said.

Peters told the secretary: "You, sir, are the failure."