Hegseth reacts to reported $200-billion request for Iran war
Quick Insights
AI Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth responded Thursday to reports of a $200-billion congressional request to fund military operations against Iran, during a Pentagon briefing. The funding request comes as attacks have expanded to target gas fields across the Middle East, escalating regional tensions. Hegseth's public reaction suggests the Trump administration is preparing to seek substantial resources from Congress for sustained military engagement in the region. The scale of the request underscores the potential scope and cost of any Iran conflict, though it remains unclear whether Congress will approve the full amount. Defense spending of this magnitude would require congressional authorization and represents a significant shift in Middle East military commitments.
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecurityNo timeframe for ending US war against Iran, says Pete Hegseth
<p>US defense secretary suggests Thursday will be ‘largest strike package yet … death and destruction from above’ </p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>The US defense secretary, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/pete-hegseth">Pete Hegseth</a>, said on Thursday there is no “timeframe” for ending the US war against Iran and did not deny reports that the Pentagon could seek an extra $200bn in taxpayer funding.</p><p>The military <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">US-Israeli offensive</a> began three weeks ago and continues to widen. Donald Trump <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/19/i...
National SecurityREPLAY: Pentagon press conference on war in Middle East
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday there is no "time frame" for ending the US-Israeli war against Iran, which was launched three weeks ago. "We wouldn't want to set a definitive time frame," Hegseth told a news conference, adding that "we're very much on track" and that President Donald Trump will be the one to decide when to stop. Hegseth also addressed a report that the Pentagon has requested more than $200 billion in additional funding from Congress to pay for the conflict.
PoliticsSwiss reject two flyover requests from US for flights related to Iran war, permits three others - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1AFBVV95cUxQYUJjY0VIbU01ZHNSa19oUlhhRG54bDhlWGEyOTdyZExUdVc3TkJuWE1pQ09DSXhTbDFEeGFJRnBITUpJQ2MwQTZZLWtaZkFjcWtnOWcwYXhTUHkxRXdOSDZiUEtmSEdCQ2JORUF2NHpCbUpoUktjV2huMHl4bm44NW1LS212R3VCN2xOT1BsTEUtdDFuZi05Z09EclRMS2sxU0RIUUtyZXR3NVJDYm94Q2l4bHBzalFTN3FNTFBvVm1weXp2YXptU1VwR2EzcDBNOXpnbA?oc=5" target="_blank">Swiss reject two flyover requests from US for flights related to Iran war, permits three others</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
National SecurityHegseth says Iran was getting ‘closer and closer’ to nuclear capabilities, contradicting Gabbard
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said President Trump could not tolerate Iran moving “closer and closer” to obtaining nuclear capabilities in choosing to begin his war with Tehran — the day after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified that such capabilities had been “obliterated” in U.S. airstrikes last year. “What President Trump would not tolerate…
National SecurityPentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxNVFZrODBQekpaMWh5Z1ZGbmlGcjZwNUxzb3BQOTlmQlpIVmgzeHZmZFRTUjk5QldEbDVDakZjZWV1aVEzOThxVjc5cjVsaWl6cFNPRmZBa0o0eEVSU21kcHNISkJqUS1ZNGVibkJZUTJzdzVNYy1lZ2FwZ1JkN3Vlb1JKcWVobzQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Pentagon seeks $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, AP source says</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Government TransparencyHegseth’s Pentagon Is Trying to Turn a Newspaper for Troops into Propaganda
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon has come up with a plan to limit the independence of Stars and Stripes, the news publication for members of the US military that has been published continuously since World War II. Under the new policy, Stars and Stripes, which has historically operated with a large degree of editorial […]

Top counterterrorism official resigns over the Iran war, saying "Iran posed no imminent threat"
Joe Kent, President Trump's director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned on Tuesday citing the Iran war and saying, "Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation." Kent, who was a controversial pick to lead the agency, is the first senior official to step down over the war and the first to resign during Mr. Trump's second term.
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Race on to establish globally recognised 'AI-free' logo

Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control - abcnews.com

TikTok and Meta risked safety to win algorithm arms race, whistleblowers say

Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions

Bank of America reaches proposed, non-binding settlement in Jeffrey Epstein suit


