Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions from lawmakers on Tuesday about the escalating costs of the U.S. war against Iran. Pentagon officials put the current price tag at $29 billion. The figure has risen from $25 billion two weeks earlier.
The hearing focused on the Pentagon's request for a $1.5 trillion defense budget for next year. Hegseth described the increase from last year's $1 trillion as necessary to reverse years of underinvestment in the military. Lawmakers from both parties said they need detailed spending plans before approving the funds.
