Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified in back-to-back Capitol Hill hearings on Tuesday, facing bipartisan frustration from Democratic and Republican lawmakers. The questioning focused on the rising costs of the war with Iran, President Donald Trump's end game, and the issue of diminishing weapons stockpiles.
Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told a House Appropriations panel that the cost of the war has risen to $29 billion. This represents a $4 billion increase in just two weeks, following the Pentagon's report on April 29 that the war had cost $25 billion at that time.
The hearings took place as a ceasefire with Tehran faltered, with President Trump suggesting the fragile agreement could break down. As neither the Americans nor the Iranians soften their demands, the President has departed for a high-stakes visit to China, Iran's chief ally.
Secretary Hegseth stated that the United States is prepared to either escalate or wind down the war. Additionally, lawmakers raised objections regarding the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany.