In Washington on July 21, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee amid bipartisan skepticism and public protests over the expanding war in Iran. Hegseth disclosed that U.S. military operations against Iran have cost $37.5 billion to date, straining Pentagon finances. He urged lawmakers to approve a $67 billion supplemental funding request to sustain operations and replenish precision munitions, alongside a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget for the next fiscal year. Officials warned that key military accounts could be exhausted within weeks, already curbing training and delaying maintenance.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.