US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced sharp questioning from lawmakers during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, marking his first appearance before Congress since the Trump administration launched its war against Iran.
At the center of the hearing was the mounting cost of the conflict. Jules Hurst III, the Pentagon’s acting chief financial officer, told lawmakers the war has already cost about $25 billion. He said most of the spending has gone toward munitions, along with funding for ongoing military operations and replacing damaged equipment.
Democratic lawmakers strongly criticised the campaign, calling it a “conflict of choice” carried out without congressional authorization. They raised concerns about the war’s legality, its long-term strategy, and its growing financial burden on US taxpayers.
Hegseth defended the administration’s actions, arguing the military campaign is necessary to counter security threats and protect US interests. He rejected claims that the conflict is spiraling, insisting that key objectives are being achieved.
The hearing grew tense at times, with lawmakers pressing for greater transparency on both the war’s costs and its endgame. Questions were also raised about the broader economic consequences, including the impact of regional instability on global energy markets.
The war, launched earlier this year, has already required additional troop deployments and sustained combat operations, suggesting that costs could continue to rise. With bipartisan concerns emerging, lawmakers signaled that further scrutiny of the conflict is likely in the months ahead.
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