Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered no timeline for the end of the Iran war

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon Comptroller Jay Hurst testified before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, revealing that the ongoing US conflict with Iran has cost an estimated $25 billion.

Hegseth did not provide a timeline for the war’s end, insisting that the US must continue to pressure an “enemy who’s hell-bent on getting a nuclear weapon.”

Before a ceasefire was declared on April 7, the Pentagon reported hitting approximately 13,000 targets in Iran, claiming the attacks obliterated the country’s underground stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.

However, Democratic Representative Adam Smith challenged Hegseth’s position, questioning the Trump administration’s shifting narrative about Iran, which has transitioned from an imminent nuclear threat to now obliterated facilities.

Meanwhile, the Iran war dominated the hearing, which was originally focused on the Pentagon's budget. 

The Trump administration is seeking roughly $1.5 trillion for defense—a jump from just $1 trillion this year.