Hegseth clashes with lawmakers over Iran war

Pete Hegseth, Gen Dan Caine, and the US Defense Department's chief financial officer Jules Hurst appeared before the House Armed Services Committee to discuss the cost of the Iran war. Democrats criticized the use of federal funds, with some lawmakers calling it a "war of choice" without Congressional approval. Hegseth defended the $1.5 trillion defense budget request as necessary for future security and countered accusations from Democrats that President Trump is in a "quagmire". Republicans largely supported the Pentagon's stance on Iran's threat to the US, with some members emphasizing the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The hearing also addressed the international economic impacts of the war, including rising oil prices.