The United States Department of Defense has requested nearly $200 billion in additional funding to support ongoing military operations linked to the conflict with Iran, in a move that signals a significant escalation in defence spending.

The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve the proposal and transmit it to Congress for consideration.

Speaking at a White House event on Thursday, US President Donald Trump confirmed the request, describing the conflict as unpredictable and stressing the need for increased military preparedness.

He said the funding would help replenish military supplies and ensure the United States maintains operational readiness.

According to a report by The Washington Post, the proposed amount is nearly double the total funding approved for Ukraine since the start of its war with Russia in 2022.

Data from official oversight reports show that the US Congress has approved about $188 billion for Ukraine, with approximately $110 billion already spent as of December last year.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said increased funding is necessary to address emerging threats and support potential future military operations, although he did not directly confirm the $200 billion figure.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett disclosed that the conflict has already cost the United States about $12 billion.

The duration of the conflict remains uncertain. Military operations involving US and Israeli forces against Iran began on February 28, with initial projections suggesting a short campaign. However, Mr Trump later acknowledged the timeline could extend beyond earlier expectations.

Despite recent expressions of optimism from the US president about a possible resolution, an official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the timeline for ending the conflict would be determined by Iran, underscoring ongoing tensions between both sides.