The United States launched fresh attacks against Iran for an 11th consecutive night, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed that the war's cost has now reached $37.5 billion. President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric by threatening to bomb a suspected Iranian nuclear facility known as Pickaxe Mountain “pretty soon, and very heavily,” prompting Tehran to warn it could expand the conflict regionally. Main Developments American airstrikes continued across multiple locations, including targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, raising fears of a broader regional war. Hegseth's cost figure of $37.5 billion marks the first official acknowledgment of the financial toll of the sustained bombing campaign, which entered its 11th consecutive night without pause. Trump's threat to strike Pickaxe Mountain—a site believed to house nuclear-related infrastructure—signaled a potential escalation beyond the current scope of attacks. Iran responded by vowing to broaden the war across the region, though specific retaliatory steps were not detailed. Read also: Why US Strikes on Iran Signal a New Phase in Gulf Tensions Background The US bombing campaign began 11 days ago, following months of heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional military activities. Pickaxe Mountain has long been cited by Western intelligence as a suspected undeclared nuclear site, though Iran denies weaponization intentions. The conflict has drawn in allied Gulf states, with strikes reported in Bahrain and Kuwait, complicating the security landscape of the Persian Gulf. Why It Matters The $37.5 billion price tag underscores the immense financial burden of the military operation, raising questions about long-term sustainability and domestic economic impact. The expansion of strikes into Bahrain and Kuwait risks drawing US allies into direct confrontation, potentially destabilizing the broader Middle East. Trump's nuclear site threat marks a sharp rhetorical escalation that could push the conflict toward a more dangerous phase. What's Next Further US airstrikes are expected as the 11th night of bombing continues without a ceasefire announcement. Iran's threat to widen the war could trigger retaliatory strikes on US assets or allies in the region. Diplomatic channels remain unclear, and no talks have been publicly scheduled to de-escalate the situation.