Democrats press Pentagon chief on Iran war costs as tensions spike

Democrats grill Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on the Iran war’s costs and strategy during a second Capitol Hill hearing, as a $1.5 trillion defense-budget proposal for 2027 looms ahead and officials debate whether the conflict is a quagmire. While Hegseth defends the mission, Republicans and Democrats press for accountability on dollars, lives, and weapon stockpiles, with Senate moves to force another Iran war-powers vote amid broader tensions including a spike in oil prices and Iran’s latest threats from its leadership.