Sen. Richard Blumenthal says a new funding request from the Trump administration to pay for the war in Iran is a "non-starter".

"The president has just presented a request to congress for another $200 billion in a so-called supplemental, for a war that's never been approved by congress, as required by the constitution, deeply unpopular with the American people, and already costing more than $1 billion a day that could be spent on lowering the prices of gasoline, groceries and other necessities, as well as healthcare and education," he said.

Three warships have been deployed as thousands of U.S. marines are heading to the Middle East, according to the Pentagon.

Blumenthal is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Chances of the request going to Congress are "slim to none", according to Blumenthal.