Washington, April 29 (SANA) U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth faced sharp criticism on Wednesday as lawmakers accused him of making misleading claims about the war with Iran, prompting a forceful response during a contentious congressional hearing.
Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Hegseth defended the administration’s handling of the two-month-old conflict, known as Operation Epic Fury, while accusing critics in Congress of undermining the mission, the New York Post reported.
“We are two months into what is an existential fight for the safety of the American people,” Hegseth said. “Iran cannot be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.”
His remarks came as Pentagon officials disclosed that the military campaign has already cost an estimated $25 billion, largely driven by munitions and operational expenses. The figure could climb further if the administration seeks additional funding from Congress.
The hearing highlighted deep divisions in Washington over the war’s strategy, cost, and effectiveness.
Democratic lawmakers challenged the administration’s narrative, with several accusing Hegseth and President Donald Trump of offering inconsistent or inaccurate accounts of progress. Representative Adam Smith, the committee’s top Democrat, questioned whether military action had achieved any meaningful gains, noting that previous administrations had contained Iran’s nuclear ambitions without direct conflict.
“It’s worth remembering that past presidents managed to prevent a nuclear Iran without resorting to this kind of war,” Smith said.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about the economic fallout. Representative Ro Khanna warned that rising global energy prices linked to the conflict could significantly increase the financial burden on American households beyond direct military spending.
“The real cost to the American public is much higher,” Khanna said.
The most heated exchange came when Representative John Garamendi accused Hegseth of misleading the public about the purpose and progress of the war.
“You have offered shifting explanations for why we are at war,” Garamendi said. “This risks becoming another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.”
Hegseth pushed back strongly, rejecting accusations of deception and dismissing comparisons to past wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“My generation fought in conflicts that dragged on for years with unclear objectives,” he said. “This is not that. Calling it a ‘quagmire’ at this stage only strengthens our adversaries.”
He defended the administration’s strategy as necessary to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear ambitions, criticizing past diplomatic efforts, including the 2015 nuclear deal, as ineffective.
While a three-week ceasefire has reduced active combat operations and slowed immediate costs, global oil markets remain volatile, continuing to affect U.S. consumers.
The timing of the conflict also raises legal questions. The operation has now reached the 60-day limit set by the War Powers Resolution for military action without congressional approval, increasing pressure on lawmakers to assert oversight.
As the war enters a new phase, scrutiny from both parties is expected to intensify, with growing focus on transparency, costs and long-term strategy.
ABD
