The US Defense Secretary, Pat Hagerty, faced tough questions during his first public appearance before the Congress as the country continues to wage war against Iran. Despite the mounting criticism, Hagerty staunchly defended the war policy, claiming that Iran’s nuclear program remains a significant threat to global security.
According to Pentagon officials, the US has spent over $25 billion on the war effort, with the majority of the expenses going towards military equipment, Middle East deployments, and damaged assets. The US has been involved in numerous wars over the past 76 years, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and trillions of dollars in economic costs.
During the congressional hearing, Hagerty faced intense questioning about the contradictory statements regarding Iran’s nuclear program. He claimed that while Iran’s infrastructure has been severely damaged, its ambitions remain unchanged. Some members of Congress referred to the war as a “quagmire,” to which Hagerty responded that such statements only strengthen the enemy’s narrative.
The hearing also touched upon the recent US airstrike on a school in the Iranian city of Minab, which resulted in the deaths of 120 children. Hagerty stated that the incident is under investigation, a claim that has been met with skepticism by many.
The US aircraft carrier, Gerald Ford, will soon depart the Middle East, marking the end of its 10-month deployment in the region. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that 14 US servicemen have been killed in action, while Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.
The Republican-dominated Congress generally supported the war effort, while Democrats expressed strong criticism of the strategy, costs, and legal implications. The hearing comes as the 60-day congressional review period for the war effort comes to an end, raising concerns about the administration’s ability to justify the ongoing conflict.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has expressed a willingness to engage in diplomatic talks, while the US continues to develop plans for new military strikes against the country. The US has also imposed economic sanctions on Iranian shipping and naval vessels, further straining relations.
In other news, the Trump administration has signed a deal with a prominent defense contractor to provide interceptor drones to the Pentagon. However, the number of drones to be supplied remains undisclosed. The US has also extended its naval presence in the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln leading the mission.
In India, a man named Saji has been arrested in the state of Kerala for allegedly killing his mother and brother. Iranian officials have claimed that the country’s war costs have exceeded the $4 billion mark, a figure significantly higher than the $1 billion claimed by the US.
A new video has emerged showing the gunman who opened fire at a White House correspondent dinner, raising concerns about the mental state of US President Donald Trump. In a separate incident, a tourist boat capsized in the Narmada River in India, resulting in the deaths of at least 9 people, with 9 others still missing.
In the Middle East, a Christian woman was attacked in the historic Jerusalem neighborhood of East Jerusalem. In a related development, the Trump administration has signed a deal with a defense contractor to provide interceptor drones to the Pentagon, although the number of drones to be supplied remains undisclosed.
The US has also announced plans for new military strikes against Iran, while maintaining its naval presence in the Middle East. The 60-day congressional review period for the war effort has come to an end, raising concerns about the administration’s ability to justify the ongoing conflict.
In sports news, Ireland has fallen out of the top 10 rankings due to its failure to play the required matches, and will need to play at least two test matches next year to regain its spot.
