Hegseth, Caine Seek $80 Billion for Iran War as U.S. Troops Face Renewed Iranian Attacks
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Hegseth, Caine Seek $80 Billion for Iran War as U.S. Troops Face Renewed Iranian Attacks
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 21
Summary
$80 billion is the Pentagon’s latest ask as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine head to the Senate Appropriations Committee to defend the Trump administration’s Iran war strategy.
The request follows the July 8 collapse of a cease-fire and a new wave of Iranian attacks, including a strike on a base in Jordan late last week that killed two U.S. soldiers and left another missing.
U.S. officials say four attacks in five days on troops in Jordan show Iran still has ample missile stocks and is getting better at slipping past American air defenses; dozens of service members were also injured and helicopters damaged.
Lawmakers are expected to press Hegseth and Caine on plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has closed again, pushing gas prices higher while the Pentagon shows little sign it can secure the route without ground troops.
Trump has signaled escalation, saying Iran will pay “many times over” for American deaths and indicating the military could soon hit Pickaxe Mountain and possibly expand strikes to bridges and electrical infrastructure.