The War Department is seeking more than $200 billion to fund the conflict in Iran.

The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a supplemental funding request that would be sent to Congress, dramatically expanding the financial scope of the U.S. military campaign alongside Israel, The Caspian Post reports, citing foreign media.

The proposed package would go beyond the cost of initial airstrikes and focus on replenishing critical munitions and boosting weapons production after weeks of sustained operations targeting Iranian assets.

U.S. and allied forces have struck thousands of targets in three weeks, rapidly depleting key stockpiles, officials familiar with the planning said.

During a Thursday morning press briefing, War Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about the $200 billion figure.

"I think that number could move," Hegseth said. "Obviously it takes money to kill bad guys. So we're going back to Congress and folks there to ensure that we're properly funded for what's been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition is everything's refilled and not just refilled, but above and beyond."

Administration officials reportedly are weighing multiple funding options, and some inside the White House are skeptical Congress would approve such a large figure, the Post reported.

If submitted, the proposal is expected to trigger a major political showdown in Washington.

Democrats have voiced opposition to the conflict, while Republicans have expressed support for maintaining U.S. military strength but have not yet coalesced around a legislative path to secure the necessary votes.

The potential $200 billion price tag would rival and likely exceed U.S. spending on the war in Ukraine, which totaled about $188 billion by late last year.

The rapidly rising cost underscores how quickly the conflict is escalating.

Early estimates cited in congressional briefings put the cost at more than $11 billion in just the first week of operations. Analysts say the war could be costing as much as $1 billion per day, depending on the pace of strikes and deployments.

Defense officials argue the funding is essential not only to sustain current operations but also to ensure long-term readiness.

The War Department has warned that key precision munitions are being used at a pace that risks straining the U.S. defense industrial base, which has struggled in recent years to scale production quickly.

Deputy Defense Secretary Steven Feinberg has led internal efforts to accelerate weapons manufacturing and address supply shortages, with officials acknowledging that simply allocating funds may not immediately resolve bottlenecks in labor, materials, and facilities.

The funding debate also highlights broader concerns about federal spending.

With deficits rising and interest payments consuming a growing share of the budget, some lawmakers are wary of approving another supplemental package without a long-term strategy.

Still, supporters of the effort argue that national security must remain the top priority, particularly as tensions in the Middle East threaten global stability and critical energy routes.

President Donald Trump, who has emphasized a strong national defense while criticizing past foreign spending, has suggested the conflict could conclude relatively quickly - but officials acknowledge the timeline remains uncertain.