The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, a sizable amount that is certain to be met with questions from Congress, which would need to approve any new money.The department sent the request to the White House, according to a senior administration official. Asked about the figure at a press conference Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly confirm the amount, saying it could change. “It takes money to kill bad guys,” Hegseth said.But he said “we’re going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we’re properly funded”. It’s an extraordinarily high number and comes on top of extra funding the Defense Department already received last year in President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts bill.Such a request would need to be approved by Congress, and it is not at all clear such spending would have political support.Congress has been bracing for a new spending request but it is not clear the White House has transmitted the request for consideration.Lawmakers have not authorised the war, and Congress is showing growing unease with the military operation’s scope and strategy.Meanwhile, China called for an end to conflict in the Gulf and said the safety of waterways should not be disturbed on Thursday, adding that it is ready to work with Southeast Asia to address energy shortages as oil markets reel from supply shocks. The situation in the West Asia has disrupted global energy security,” Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested he was not looking at deploying more soldiers to the West Asia amid the Iran war.“I’m not putting troops anywhere,” Trump said, when asked by a mediaperson whether he was planning to send more service members to the region. “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. But I’m not putting troops. We will do whatever is necessary to keep the price.”