Hegseth to be questioned by US Congress for first time since Iran war began

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will appear before Congress today for the first time since the start of the country's war with Iran.

The hearing before the House Armed Services Committee is being held to discuss the administration's 2027 military budget proposal, which would increase military spending to $1,5 trillion, the most in US history.

Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kaine are expected to highlight the need for more drones, missile defense systems and ships, while Democratic lawmakers are likely to turn to the rising costs of the Iran war, the huge reduction in US ammunition and the bombing of a school that killed children.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28th without congressional oversight.

Democrats in the House and Senate have failed to pass multiple resolutions that would have required President Donald Trump to halt the conflict until Congress authorizes further action, while Republicans have said they will maintain faith in Trump's handling of the war.

Hegseth avoided public questions from lawmakers about the war, although he and Kaine held televised briefings for the Pentagon.

Two of today's interviewees will also appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow.

The lawmakers' questions are expected to encompass much more than the budget and even the war in Iran.