The U.S. military campaign against Iran has already cost an estimated $25 billion, a senior Pentagon official told lawmakers Wednesday, as the conflict moves toward the 60-day mark that could trigger a key congressional decision on its continuation.

The figure was provided by acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, where he appeared alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine.

“Approximately, of this day, we’re spending about $25 billion on Operation Epic Fury,” Hurst told the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.

Hurst said the bulk of the spending has gone toward munitions, along with operational costs, maintenance, and replacing equipment.

Smith used his time to note that Congress had not received updated cost figures since the start of the war and pressed the Pentagon on whether it would seek additional funding from lawmakers to continue financing the operation.

“We will formulate a supplemental, through the White House, that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict,” Hurst told Smith.

Earlier in the conflict, Pentagon officials had informed Congress that expenses reached $11.3 billion within just the first six days of fighting in March.

The growing financial toll comes as energy prices continue to rise both in the United States and internationally, driven in part by the continued shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump met with leading energy executives to discuss how to proceed with the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and ways to reduce the economic impact on American consumers, according to a White House official who spoke to NBC News.

Trump also issued a warning to Tehran on Wednesday, saying Iran “better get smart soon” as talks between the two sides remain stalled.

Reports earlier this month indicated that Iranian strikes have inflicted more extensive damage on U.S. military installations and equipment in the Middle East than has been publicly disclosed, with repair costs expected to run into the billions.

The war’s mounting expense is drawing heightened attention on Capitol Hill as the 60-day threshold approaches, a point at which Congress may need to weigh in on whether the use of military force should continue. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, a president can deploy military force for up to 60 days without congressional approval, after which lawmakers must either authorize the action or allow it to lapse, though a 30-day extension can be requested.

In recent weeks, the Senate has repeatedly voted down proposals aimed at forcing an end to the military operation. A similar measure in the House narrowly failed earlier this month, falling short by a single vote.

{Matzav.com}