Hegseth questioned in US Congress

TT

Published 13.58

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a press briefing at the Pentagon last week. Photo: Kevin Wolf/AP/TT

For the first time since the start of the Iran war, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be questioned in the House of Representatives Defense Committee.

The topic is next year's defense budget, but Hegseth will not be able to dodge questions about the war.

During the appearance together with Defense Chief Dan Caine, Hegseth is expected to argue that the US needs more drones, missiles, defense systems and warships - and thereby justify the record-high proposed defense budget of 1,500 billion dollars, writes AP. It is 44 percent higher than this year's - which was also a record high.

The hearing comes just days before the Iran war reaches the 60-day deadline for Congress to authorize military action. The Iran war has drawn strong opposition, primarily from Democrats, but has also been questioned by members of President Donald Trump's own Republican party.