US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was slammed after enduring a confrontational appearance before Congress, revealing that the war with Iran has already cost an estimated $37.5 billion (£27.8 billion). His plea for another $80 billion in military funding quickly turned into a bruising hearing dominated by questions over strategy, leadership and whether the conflict is becoming another prolonged US war.
The tense session before the Senate Appropriations Committee exposed widening divisions in Washington as the Trump administration presses lawmakers to approve a broader $95 billion spending package. While Republicans argue the money is needed to sustain military operations and other White House priorities, Democrats questioned both the rising cost of the conflict and the absence of a clearly defined endgame.
