White House seeks $1.5 trillion defense budget amid Iran war

By AFP 3 April 2026, 4:05 pm

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The White House has sent a spending proposal to US lawmakers calling for a massive $1.5 trillion US defense budget next year as it faces increased costs due to the war in Iran.

The total year-on-year increase in Pentagon spending would be the largest since World War II, US media reports, although presidential budgets are wish lists that have to be approved by Congress, rather than binding orders.

“The budget builds upon the historic $1 trillion overall defense topline for 2026 and requests $1.5 trillion in total budgetary resources for 2027,” the document reads. “This is a $445 billion, or 42 percent, increase from the 2026 total resource level.”