Pete Hegseth defends the administration's Iran war strategy and requests additional military funding during a contentious Senate hearing.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the administration's strategy in the ongoing war with Iran during a recent Senate hearing. While the administration has pledged to conclude the conflict within 60 days, Hegseth faced scrutiny from Democratic senators, including Gary Peters, who accused the department of lacking a long-term plan to secure a victory. Hegseth countered these criticisms by highlighting the "stale thinking" of previous leadership and urging Democrats to show more political courage in funding the troops. He noted that the administration has already faced significant costs, estimating the war's price tag at $37.5 billion, though internal reports suggest the total may reach $100 billion. To address these needs, Hegseth requested an additional $67 billion for the remainder of the budget year. This request comes as the administration seeks a record-breaking $1.5 trillion budget for 2027. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to impact global trade, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowing to a near standstill as Iran exerts pressure on the global economy.