US Defense Secretary questioned on Iran war costs and strategy

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before the House Armed Services Committee on April 30, 2026, facing intense questioning over the ongoing war with Iran.

This marked his first congressional appearance since the conflict began under the Trump administration.

The nearly six-hour hearing focused on the war's high financial cost, military leadership changes, and the justification for the conflict.

Pentagon figures presented during the session revealed the war has cost $25 billion so far, with defense spending projected to reach a record $1.5 trillion in 2027.

Democratic and some Republican lawmakers challenged Hegseth on the rationale for the war, particularly after US strikes in 2025 reportedly obliterated Iran's nuclear facilities.

Representative Adam Smith questioned why the war was initiated less than a year later if the nuclear threat had been neutralized.

Hegseth responded that Iran had not abandoned its nuclear ambitions and still possessed thousands of missiles.

The hearing also addressed concerns about the war's impact, including the depletion of critical US munitions and civilian casualties, such as the bombing of a school that killed children.

Democrats criticized the administration for misleading the public and highlighted the economic consequences, including rising gas prices affecting American households.

#PeteHegseth #Iranwar #HouseArmedServicesCommittee #USDefenseSecretary #militarybudget #AdamSmith