WATCH: “You, sir, are a loser,” Senator Peters tells Hegseth on lack of US strategy in Iran war

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday that he had failed American forces.

Watch the clip in the video player above.

“The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, which reminds everyone that it was open before the war. Prices were lower for everyone until the war… And of course, tragically, people, service members and fighters that we care deeply about, are still dying. So what’s the difference?” Peters asked Hegseth.

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Hegseth said Peters’ description of the war as a “failure” was reckless. He said Peters’ statement “distorts the sacrifices” the troops are making “on behalf of the American people to ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.”

Peters pushed back.

He told Hegseth: “You, sir, are the failure, not the men and women on the front line, not the men and women who uphold their honor with distinction.” “If there is a lack of a winning strategy, they are in harm’s way, let down by their leaders, and that’s what happens.”

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Hegseth asked Peters to “show some leadership” and agree to fund the Department of Defense. The Trump administration requested additional funding worth $87.6 billion, the bulk of which will be used in the US war with Iran.

“It’s not a matter of money,” Peters said. “It’s a matter of leadership and understanding what it takes to actually win.”

Hegseth’s appearance before lawmakers in the Senate comes after the United States launched its tenth consecutive night of strikes against Iran. At least three US service members have been killed in recent days. As the war between the two countries intensifies, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, forcing US gas prices to jump again.