The White House declined to provide Congress with an estimate of the cost of the ongoing war with Iran during a recent hearing, drawing sharp criticism from Senate Democrats. Russell T. Vought, the White House budget director, said the fluctuating nature of the United States and Israeli military campaign made it difficult to calculate current or future expenses.

Lawmakers pressed Mr. Vought to offer at least a general range for the war's cost, but he refused, saying he did not want to provide inaccurate figures. He indicated that more detailed information would be included in a forthcoming request to Congress. The conflict has now entered its seventh week, intensifying concerns about financial transparency.

Earlier private Pentagon briefings estimated that the first six days of the war alone exceeded $11 billion, and officials later suggested that as much as $200 billion in supplemental funding might be needed. President Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027 did not include immediate funding for the war. While some Republicans praised the broader defense increase, Democrats criticized the administration for withholding clear cost projections.