Pete Hegseth Defends Rising Iran War Costs and Denies Ammunition Shortages
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has defended the Pentagon against allegations of severe ammunition depletion, asserting that military stocks remain sufficient for current missions. This statement follows warnings from Senator Mark Kelly, who claimed that missile reserves, including Tomahawks and Patriots, are critically low and would take years to rebuild. Concurrently, the financial burden of the US war against Iran has escalated significantly. Pentagon finance chief Jules Hurst revealed that war costs have risen to $29 billion, a $4 billion increase from April estimates, citing equipment repair and replacement expenses. Democratic lawmakers have criticized the administration for lacking transparency regarding these true costs and the absence of a clear strategic plan. In response to rising expenditures, Hegseth has proposed a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for the upcoming year, aiming to fund initiatives like the 'Golden Fleet' and 'Golden Dome' missile shield. However, this substantial budget increase faces skepticism from both Democrats and some Republicans, particularly with midterm elections approaching amid declining public approval for the ongoing conflict.
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