WASHINGTON – As the US-Israel war on Iran continues to drain American resources, with the Pentagon estimating a staggering cost of at least $25 billion, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vehemently denied that the conflict is a “quagmire.” In a contentious House hearing, Hegseth astonishingly claimed that critics of the operation within the US posed a greater threat than Iran itself, revealing the depth of internal division plaguing Washington’s war efforts.

The financial burden on American taxpayers continues to escalate, primarily from munitions, operations, maintenance, and equipment replacement. Jules Hurst III, the Pentagon’s chief financial official, confirmed the estimated $25 billion cost, which continues to rise for a conflict that former President Donald Trump had optimistically predicted would last merely four to six weeks.

Hegseth, appearing before the House armed services committee alongside Gen Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff, faced intense pressure to articulate a clear strategy. Instead, he requested a colossal $1.5 trillion military spending approval, while simultaneously lambasting some lawmakers as “the biggest challenge” to the war effort. “The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans,” Hegseth declared, a statement notably absent from his prepared remarks, underscoring the administration’s defensive posture.

The administration’s claims of success are increasingly challenged by its own officials and the public. Protesters outside the hearing branded Hegseth and Caine as “war criminals,” reflecting widespread public discontent. Furthermore, Trump himself resorted to posting an AI-generated image of himself with a weapon and the caption “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY” on social media, coupled with threats towards Iran, signaling a desperate attempt to project strength amidst a faltering campaign.

California Democrat John Garamendi sharply criticized the administration’s “astounding incompetence,” which he argued has led to “political and economic disaster at every level.” Garamendi asserted, “The president has gotten himself and America stuck in a quagmire of another war in the Middle East,” highlighting the administration’s repeated strategic failures in the region. Hegseth’s incensed reaction to the term “quagmire” only served to underscore the sensitivity surrounding the perceived failure of the operation.

Adding to the controversy, the strike on a school in the Iranian city of Minab during the initial phase of the joint US-Israeli campaign, which Iranian officials report killed at least 168 people, mostly children, remains unaddressed. Despite early Pentagon promises of an investigation, Hegseth and Caine had not been compelled to address this atrocity under oath until Wednesday, leaving the world with the impression that the US simply “don’t care,” as Congressman Adam Smith of Washington pointed out.

The hearing exposed deep partisan rifts. While Republicans largely supported the administration’s budget demands, Democrats questioned the responsible management of a 50-60% spending increase and challenged the administration’s diplomatic isolation. Smith criticized the president for “gratuitously insulting” allies, even amidst a war where NATO’s support is sought, further illustrating the US’s self-inflicted diplomatic wounds.

A tense exchange also occurred when Hegseth claimed Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “obliterated,” a statement contradicted by his earlier assertion that the war was necessary due to an “imminent threat” from nuclear weapons. This inconsistency led Smith to question the effectiveness of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” suggesting it accomplished “nothing of substance.” Hegseth’s evasive response, “You’re missing the point,” did little to quell doubts.

Despite Hegseth’s denials and Republican support, the broader picture remains a stalemate. With three US aircraft carriers stationed in the Middle East for the first time in over two decades and Trump rejecting Iran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the prospect of a prolonged and costly conflict looms large. The inability of Democrats to pass war powers resolutions means the president continues to operate without congressional authorization, leaving the US entangled in a conflict with no clear end in sight.