The Pentagon is seeking a massive $200 billion war fund as the United States considers a significant troop buildup in the escalating confrontation with Iran, an expansion that could sharply intensify the conflict under the watch of Donald Trump.
The request follows a sobering cost analysis of “Operation Epic Fury,” which found the United States burned through $3.7 billion in just the first 100 hours roughly $891 million per day before ballooning to $11 billion within its first week.
According to The Washington Post, defense officials have urged the White House to take the funding request to Congress, setting the stage for a fierce political showdown in Washington.
But the path forward is uncertain.
Opposition from Democrats and resistance from lawmakers like Rand Paul could derail efforts to secure the 60 Senate votes needed to bypass a filibuster.
Behind the scenes, the administration is also weighing a dramatic military escalation. Sources told Reuters that thousands of additional US troops could be deployed to the Middle East, expanding operational options as the war enters its third week.
Among the most sensitive plans under consideration: securing oil tanker routes through the Strait of Hormuz a strategic artery for global energy supply primarily using air and naval forces. However, officials warn that such a mission could spill onto Iranian soil, with potential troop deployments along the coastline.
Even more contentious is the reported discussion of sending ground forces to Kharg Island, the nerve center of Iran’s oil exports, responsible for about 90 percent of its crude shipments.
US officials caution that any move on the island would be fraught with danger, as Iran retains the capability to strike with missiles and drones—raising the stakes of an already volatile conflict.
