Senators questioned Hegseth about Iran. Here are 3 big moments from the hearing

The United States needs more money for its war with Iran.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with Army Gen. Dan Kean, made the Trump administration’s case for why the U.S. military needs $87.6 billion in new funding, the bulk of which will be directed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

At the top of the hearing, Hegseth said the supplemental funding was an “urgent and necessary infusion of resources” for the department’s needs. He did not mention the Iran war directly in his opening statement.

“We know that the best way to achieve peace is to prepare for and deter war,” said Hegseth, who resumed his remarks several times after protesters disrupted his opening statement. “And that is exactly what the War Department is doing: building a force so capable that it would be ridiculous for anyone to challenge it.”

The last major Pentagon briefing on the war was last May. Tuesday’s hours-long hearing was an opportunity for Hegseth to provide lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — and the American public — with more clarity on the direction the war is headed.

The emerging theme is, as Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said at one point in the hearing: “We need direct answers.”

Here are three big moments from Thursday’s session.

1. What is the cost of the war on Iran so far?

Watch the clip in the player above.

The latest estimate for the total costs in the Iran war so far: $37.5 billion, Hegseth told Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who projects costs through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

This is higher than the $29 billion estimate made by the Pentagon comptroller in May. At the time, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the committee’s top Democrat, called the estimate “suspiciously low.”

In Thursday’s session, Murray said in her opening speech that President Donald Trump repeatedly promised that an agreement to end the Iran war was near and that the war would end soon.

But given the recent escalation with Iran and the additional funds needed, Murray warned that the United States could slide into “another forever war.”

2. Ask for “straight talk”

Watch the clip in the player above.

The military leaders did not escape Republican criticism.

Regarding his leadership, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, cited a New York Times report that Hegseth disproportionately blocked promotions for many women and people of color.

Regarding Iran, Kennedy wanted simple answers to his series of questions.

He wondered what would happen if the United States stopped its military operations against Iran and brought its soldiers home. Kaine did not directly answer the question, saying that the senator was raising a hypothesis and that it was a political calculation.

Kennedy asked the general whether Iran would “impose tariffs” on the Strait of Hormuz. Kane again said it was a hypothetical question, prompting Kennedy to say: “It’s as serious as four heart attacks and a stroke.”

Kennedy turned to Hegseth, who also did not satisfy the senator’s desire for “straight talk.”

Kennedy asked the Secretary of Defense whether Iran would meet to build its nuclear capabilities if the United States halted its operations.

When Hegseth did not answer his question directly, the senator replied: “We need direct answers.”

3. “You, sir, are a loser.”

Watch the clip in the player above.

Late in the hearing, Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the Trump administration’s efforts had been “a complete and total failure to win this war.”

Hegseth expressed dismay at the characterization, saying Peters’ statement was “irresponsible” and discredited service members.

“You’re a loser, sir,” Peters replied. He added in a loud voice: “Not the men and women on the front line, and not the men and women who uphold their honor with distinction.”

“You have no long-term plan to actually win this war. Win the war!” Peters pleaded with Hegseth.

The Defense Secretary responded by saying that Peters suffers from “Trump confusion syndrome” and accused Democrats of practicing partisan politics and underfunding the troops.

During the hearing, several Democratic lawmakers cited their constituents’ confusion and frustration with the war.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said military officials are “asking for unlimited money to buy bombs” and that Americans are upset “because the words I’ve used in the past don’t make sense.”

Gillibrand cited the administration’s conflicting statements on whether Iranian nuclear sites have been wiped out.

“The American people don’t know who to believe or what to believe,” she said. “They just know they can’t afford health care. They can’t afford their food. They can’t afford housing.”