Pentagon seeks $200 billion in funding for Iran war as US' 'largest strike package yet' looms
WASHINGTON, DC: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday, March 19, that the military is preparing its “largest strike package yet” in the ongoing war with Iran, hinting at a sharp escalation.
He noted that US forces have already struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran, primarily focused on military infrastructure, and indicated that the scale of operations is continuing to grow.
The statement comes amid reports of the Pentagon seeking $200 billion in funding from the Congress.
US aiming for relentless strikes, deeper penetration: Dan Caine
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine said Iran entered the conflict heavily armed but stressed that US forces have established “layered defenses” across the region.
He revealed that American forces are deploying 5,000-pound bunker-busting munitions against underground storage facilities and are “penetrating deeper into Iranian airspace to hunt and kill.”
Caine added that recent strikes targeted more than 90 sites on Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export hub, including air defenses, naval bases and mine storage facilities.
Pentagon's $200 billion funding push
Hegseth acknowledged the need for fresh funding as reports, including from The Washington Post, suggested a potential $200 billion request from Pentagon to Congress.
“It takes money to k*ll bad guys,” he said, adding that the administration is seeking resources for both current operations and future contingencies.
He also rejected comparisons with past conflicts under George W Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, insisting the current campaign dubbed Operation Epic Fury is not a “forever war.”
Iran targets energy infrastructure and market shock
The conflict has increasingly hit critical energy infrastructure. Iran struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG terminal, while Israel targeted the South Pars gas field.
The fallout rattled global markets, with crude prices surging and natural gas also climbing amid fears of prolonged disruption in the Gulf.
President Donald Trump said the US had no prior knowledge of Israel’s strike on South Pars and warned against further escalation.
He declared there would be “no more attacks” on the field unless Iran strikes Qatar, adding that, if it does, the US would respond by “massively” destroying the facility. Responding to questions on targeting energy infrastructure, Hegseth asserted, “We hold the cards.”
