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

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

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