Wednesday, May 20Wednesday, May 20The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran under the Trump administration has cost $29 billion to date, according to a Pentagon official during a congressional hearing. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed this figure while testifying before Congress, where he also defended the administration’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request—described as "historic"—amid rising public opposition to the war’s financial burden. Hegseth framed the budget as necessary for U.S. preparedness, stating the military is ready to either escalate or wind down operations in Iran .
During his testimony, Hegseth faced protests and criticism over the war’s costs, with demonstrators accusing the budget of funding "war crimes." The Pentagon downplayed concerns about munitions shortages, though the $29 billion expenditure has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and the public .
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has signaled a potential escalation, reportedly stating in private that Iran’s leadership is "stupid" for believing he would lose interest in the conflict. This follows earlier reports that Trump is considering resuming attacks on Iran, despite the war’s financial and strategic toll .
On the Iranian side, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has expanded its operational definition of the Strait of Hormuz, now treating it as a far broader military zone than its traditional narrow boundaries. This move, described by IRGC official Mohammad Akbarzadeh, is seen as a provocation likely to heighten tensions with the U.S. .
> Background: **Iran Threatens Nuclear Escalation as US-Iran Tensions Rise** — *2 hours ago*
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