The cost of the United States' war in Iran has reached $37.5 billion, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday. This figure is up from an earlier estimate of nearly $29 billion in mid-May. Hegseth made the announcement as he faced skeptical lawmakers and sought additional funding for the conflict. The US military has been conducting strikes on Iran for 11 consecutive nights. Hegseth's remarks come at a time when the war is growing increasingly unpopular. With midterm elections just six months away, President Donald Trump's Republican Party risks losing its majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Opinion polls show Democrats holding an advantage among voters. The rising costs and ongoing military action are expected to be key issues in the upcoming elections. Hegseth's request for more funds highlights the continued financial burden of the war on the US budget.