Pentagon cites ‘urgency’ of Iran war as defence budget scrutiny intensifies

The United States defence secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the Pentagon’s proposed $1.5 trillion budget reflects “the urgency of the moment” amid the ongoing war with Iran, as he faced questioning under oath for the first time since the conflict began in February.

Addressing the House Armed Services Committee, Hegseth described the request as a “historic” and “war-fighting” budget, arguing that current geopolitical conditions require sustained military investment. He said the proposal...