Hegseth's contentious hearing in Congress reveals partisan divide over Iran war

About this episode

Defense Secretary Hegseth faced sharp questions from Congress regarding the ongoing war with Iran and its financial implications.

For the first time since the U.S. went to war with Iran, Defense Secretary Hegseth faced sharp questions on Wednesday from Congress. During the hearing, the Pentagon revealed that the war so far has cost $25 billion. The fighting is on hold, but the military maintains its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

People in this episode

Host: Nick Schifrin

Topics covered

• Iran war
• Congress hearing
• partisan divide
• military spending
• Pentagon
• blockade

Keywords

• Hegseth
• Congress
• Iran war
• Pentagon
• military blockade
• Strait of Hormuz
• cost of war

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Congress, Pentagon

Places: Iran, Strait of Hormuz

More episodes of PBS News Hour - Segments

• What the U.S. and Iran are demanding in the latest peace proposal · June 12, 2026 · 4 min
• 'Close doesn't count': Mideast experts assess potential U.S.-Iran agreement · June 12, 2026 · 7 min
• News Wrap: Judge says Kennedy Center must remove Trump's name by Friday deadline · June 12, 2026 · 8 min
• Remembering revolutionary painter David Hockney and his artistic legacy · June 12, 2026 · 3 min
• White House UFC event spotlights Trump's decades-long partnership with Dana White · June 12, 2026 · 6 min
• How Gaza's students are still learning despite shattered schools and displacement · June 12, 2026 · 6 min