US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly defended the ongoing military campaign against Iran. He said that despite all the tensions and the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, America still holds all the cards in its hand.
Hegseth engaged in a heated debate with Democratic lawmakers during a defense hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Kane was also present in this meeting. The main issues of the hearing were President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, the rising cost of the Iran war, rising oil prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the US strategy regarding China-Ukraine.
Hegseth said that major damage has been caused to Iran’s military power. He claimed that Iran has been attacking America for 47 years and has been lying about its nuclear weapons program. President Trump finally showed the courage to act. He also said that Iran’s entire conventional navy is now lying at the bottom of the Persian Gulf and in the current situation America has more dominance than before.
However, Democratic lawmakers raised serious questions on the strategy of the Trump administration. Senator Chris Coons said that this war is being fought without any clear goal and plan for the end, for which the American people are paying the price. Meanwhile, Senator Patty Murray raised questions on the huge defense spending amid rising fuel and food prices.
According to the Pentagon, about $29 billion has been spent so far on the Iran conflict, although a full assessment of the damage caused to US military bases is yet to be done.
The biggest question raised during the hearing was regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Crude oil prices have increased around the world due to disruption in this sea route, which is very important for global oil supply. To this, Hegseth said that the US has “military options”, but Washington still wants a negotiated solution so that Iran stops “piracy in international waterways”.
Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kane also acknowledged that Iran is holding the world economy hostage through its military activities, but he declined to provide further details publicly on military plans.
At the hearing, Mitch McConnell stressed the need to continue support for NATO allies and Ukraine. He warned that at a time when America’s adversaries are uniting, alienating allies could be dangerous.
America’s strategy regarding China was also discussed. Ahead of Trump’s expected visit to Beijing, McConnell asked whether U.S. commitments to Taiwan and the South China Sea would remain in place. On this, Hegseth said that America is committed to strengthening partnership and maritime security with its allies Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region.