On the Iran War, US Defence Secretary Requests Rp 3.3 Quadrillion to Kill the Bad Guys

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has requested more than $200 billion, or Rp 3.3 quadrillion, from Congress to fund the Iran war. Hegseth stated that the additional funding is for the sustainability of the war in the Middle East.

“Regarding the $200 billion, I think that figure could change. Clearly, money is needed to kill the bad guys,” said Hegseth, quoted from detikNews on Friday (20/3/2026).

“We will return to Congress and the officials there to ensure that we obtain adequate funding for what has been done, and for what we may have to do in the future,” he added.

Hegseth said there is no timeframe for ending the US-Israel war against Iran. He stated that the decision on ending the war is in the hands of President Donald Trump.

“We do not want to set a definite timeframe,” said Hegseth.

“Ultimately, there will be a choice by the President, where we say, ‘Hey, we have achieved what needs to be achieved,’” he continued.

A high-ranking US military officer, General Dan Caine, who spoke alongside Hegseth, detailed the weapons used against Iran and its allied forces. Caine said that A-10 Warthog aircraft are hunting and destroying fast attack boats in the waterway route of the Strait of Hormuz.

The A-10 Warthog is a type of aircraft designed to provide close air support. It is known that the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by Iran to maritime traffic following the start of the war.

Caine also said that AH-64 Apache helicopters are being used in Iraq to target militia groups allied with Iran there. He mentioned that several US allies have begun using these attack helicopters to counter one-way drones launched by Tehran’s forces.