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Secretary of War faces questions from Armed Services Committee amid criticism of lack of transparency and high costs
US Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth is expected to give explanations today on the development of the war in Iran during his first hearing in Congress since the start of the conflict, which appears to have entered a phase of stagnation, despite the extension of the ceasefire by President Donald Trump.
The Pentagon chief, who faces strong criticism from Democrats, will answer questions from members of the House Armed Services Committee, along with the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine.
Since the war began on February 28, lawmakers from both parties have criticized the administration for a lack of information, even though they usually receive regular updates on national security issues with classified information.
Hegseth, a divisive figure within the Trump administration, is expected to face tough questions as the economic consequences of the war are felt globally and in American public opinion, where fuel prices have risen sharply.
"Secretary Hegseth will finally appear before the Armed Services Committee this week," said Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander, adding, "It is time for him to answer for a war started by election," she added.
The Trump administration has made various and often contradictory statements about the objectives of the war and how to end it.
Request for investigation
Negotiations to end the conflict appear to have stalled, despite a ceasefire agreed three weeks ago. Meanwhile, Tehran has effectively blocked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for global oil trade, while Washington has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.
The US Navy has deployed three aircraft carriers to the region, for the first time in more than two decades.
Hegseth's handling of the war has worried Democrats from the beginning, who have made six attempts to impeach him, with no real chance of success.
Many Republicans have also expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the administration did not consult Congress before launching the war, even though the US Constitution requires its approval for the official declaration of war.
Democrats have repeatedly failed to pass a resolution aimed at limiting the president's powers to take military action against Iran.
Also, more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers last week called for the launch of a "formal and immediate investigation" into the deaths of six American soldiers in Kuwait during the early days of the war, claiming that the secretary "misled the public about the circumstances of the attack."
In total, 13 American soldiers have been killed since February 28 and about 400 others have been wounded.
Increase in the military budget
Lawmakers may also ask about the cost of the war, both fiscally and for the intensive use of missiles, whose reserves are limited, raising concerns about the possibility of exhausting US strategic weapons.
The hearing is officially related to the administration's request for a 42% increase in the defense budget, bringing it to $1.5 trillion by 2027.
Hegseth may also face questions regarding the recent departures of senior military officials and the use of artificial intelligence by the armed forces.
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