Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed claims that the US is "bogged down" in a conflict with Iran, countering criticism from democrats during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on 29/4. Joined by US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, Secretary Hegseth defended the administration's strategy, emphasizing its success in addressing historical risks and ensuring US safety.

During the hearing, Representative John Garamendi, a democrat, criticized the US government, stating: "The US president has bogged himself and the country down in another Middle East war." Secretary Hegseth immediately responded, arguing that "hatred" towards President Donald Trump had made Garamendi "blind to the truth about the war's success." He added: "You call it a quagmire and provide our enemies with propaganda material. This statement is shameful."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a hearing on Capitol Hill on 29/4. Photo: AFP

Secretary Hegseth asserted that the US would achieve a better deal, ensuring Iran never possesses nuclear weapons. He described the conflict as "a war for survival, to ensure the safety of the American people," expressing the administration's pride in this effort.

He also called on the US Congress to approve a 1.5 trillion USD military budget, identifying some lawmakers as the "biggest obstacle" to US war efforts. "The greatest adversary we face right now is the reckless, useless, and defeatist rhetoric of democrats in congress, as well as some republican members," he stated.

US Deputy Defense Secretary Jules Hurst informed the House Armed Services Committee that the estimated cost for the campaign against Iran is currently 25 billion USD and continues to rise. This increase is primarily due to ammunition, operational activities, maintenance, and equipment replacement.

Location of Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Graphics: Guardian

The Middle East conflict began on 28/2 with US and Israeli attacks on multiple targets in Iran. Tehran retaliated with a counter-offensive targeting numerous Washington military facilities in the region, alongside infrastructure in several Gulf nations.

Both sides reached a ceasefire on 8/4 and extended it for negotiations, but have yet to find common ground for a complete agreement to end the war.

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) estimated Iran's retaliatory campaign caused the US at least 5 billion USD in damages. Over 100 targets were hit across 11 bases, including a destroyed E-3G early warning aircraft and several damaged refueling planes at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

Other affected targets included: the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain, a runway at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, hangars and warehouses at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, an ammunition depot at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, and fuel depots, hangars, and barracks at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

Thanh Tam (According to Guardian, AFP)