May 12 WATCH: Hegseth, Caine testify on Capitol Hill as Trump says Iran ceasefire is weak By Ben Finley, Konstantin Toropin, Bill Barrow, Stephen Groves, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced tough questions Tuesday from Republican and Democratic lawmakers about the Trump administration's end game for the Iran war, the cost of the conflict and its impact on diminishing U.S. weapons stockpiles. Continue reading
May 05 WATCH: Hegseth and Caine say Iran war ceasefire is still on despite new effort in Strait of Hormuz By Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the forces prefer a peaceful effort to “guide” the more than 22,500 mariners stuck on more than 1,550 vessels out of the Persian Gulf, but are ready if needs change. Continue reading
May 01 4 takeaways from Hegseth's hearings on historic defense budget request, Iran war By Ben Finely, Stephen Groves, Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared before Congress at a pair of hourslong hearings this week for the first time since the Trump administration went to war against Iran, with the Pentagon chief facing tough questions from skeptical Democrats. Continue reading
Apr 30 Watch 3:49 Oil prices surge again as Trump weighs options to end Iran war and Hegseth faces lawmakers By Nick Schifrin, Winston Wilde On Thursday, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East briefed Trump on potential military options and the ongoing blockade of the Persian Gulf while talks to end the war with Iran remain at a standstill. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Hegseth… Continue watching
Apr 30 WATCH: Hegseth and Caine face 2nd day of questioning on defense budget, Iran war By Ben Finley, Stephen Groves, Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed with Democratic lawmakers in Congress for a second day Thursday, rejecting senators’ accusations that the Iran war was launched without evidence of an imminent threat and waged with no coherent strategy. Continue reading
Apr 29 Watch 5:40 Hegseth's contentious hearing in Congress reveals partisan divide over Iran war By Nick Schifrin, Eliot Barnhart For the first time since the U.S. went to war with Iran, Defense Secretary Hegseth faced sharp questions on Wednesday from Congress. During the hearing, the Pentagon revealed that the war so far has cost $25 billion. The fighting is… Continue watching
Apr 29 WATCH: Hegseth calls congressional Democrats, some Republicans 'biggest adversary' in Iran war By Joshua Barajas “The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in his opening remarks in Wednesday’s budget hearing before the House Armed Services Committee. Continue reading
Apr 29 WATCH: Hegseth, Caine testify for the 1st time since start of Iran war in House hearing By Ben Finley, Stephen Groves, David Klepper, Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced withering questioning from skeptical Democrats Wednesday over a costly conflict being waged without congressional approval. Continue reading
Apr 24 WATCH: Hegseth calls U.S. war in Iran a 'gift to the world' By Associated Press Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. blockade of Iranian shipping will continue “as long as it takes” to accomplish America’s “bold and dangerous” mission to end Iran’s threat to global security. Continue reading
Apr 21 A timeline of Trump's shifting statements about how long the Iran war will last By Amy Sherman, Zoe Weyand, PolitiFact Since the U.S. and Israel launched the strikes against Iran Feb. 28, President Donald Trump has made contradictory statements about the timeline to end the war. He has repeatedly declared victory and then later threatened Iran. Continue reading