United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth clashed repeatedly with Democratic lawmakers during a nearly six-hour hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, his first sworn testimony since the start of the Iran war. Appearing alongside the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and the defence department's chief financial officer, Hegseth accused Democrats of using 'defeatist words' and defended the administration's handling of the conflict.

Lawmakers focused heavily on the financial toll of the war, which officials said has cost 25 billion dollars so far, largely for munitions and equipment replacement. The White House is seeking to raise the defence budget to 1.5 trillion dollars, which Hegseth described as urgent and necessary for future security. Democrats criticised the conflict as an expensive 'war of choice' launched without congressional approval.

Tensions escalated over an airstrike on a school in Minab that Iranian officials say killed 168 people, including about 110 children. United States military investigators have indicated American forces likely struck the site unintentionally, though the investigation remains ongoing. Lawmakers demanded accountability and transparency, while Hegseth said the incident was still under review and declined to assign a financial cost to it.

The hearing also addressed rising global oil prices and broader economic impacts linked to the conflict. Hegseth is scheduled to face additional questioning in the Senate as debate continues over the war's costs and consequences.