Hegseth defends 'historic' budget request as cost of Iran War climbs to nearly $29 billion

Ana Maria Rus

(12 May 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++ POOL Washington, DC - 12 May 2026 1. Wide shot of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst sitting at witness table 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary: "Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, ranking member, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify in full support of President Trump's historic 1.5 trillion fiscal