During a nearly six-hour-long hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Democratic lawmaker Hurst revealed in the hearing that the war had cost $25 billion (₹ 2-3 trillion) so far.
Representative Ro Khanna directly challenged Pete Hegseth over the true cost and consequences of the Iran war. He argued that the true cost exceeds the $25 billion (₹ 2-3 trillion) estimate previously cited by the Pentagon when factoring in damaged infrastructure, replacement munitions, and long-term economic impacts.
He pressed for clear answers on how much the war was costing American taxpayers, not just in military spending, but also through rising gas and food prices affecting everyday households.
“Do you know how much it will cost Americans in terms of their increased cost in gas and food over the next year because of Iran?” Khanna questioned. Hegseth, however, dismissed the question as a “gotcha,” responding, “What would you pay to ensure Iran does not get a nuclear bomb?”
Khanna pointed to estimates suggesting the war could cost the US economy as much as $631 billion (₹53 trillion), roughly $5,000 (₹4 lakh) per household, and pressed Hegseth to acknowledge the financial impact.
Secretary Hegseth and Rep. Ro Khanna yelling at each other right now: pic.twitter.com/Bsv9pdokUH
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) April 29, 2026
The exchange intensified as Khanna accused Hegseth of failing to provide basic economic analysis and transparency, repeatedly demanding concrete numbers instead of general responses.
“Will you acknowledge that there is an economic cost to the American people for doing what you believe is necessary to make Iran de-nuclear?” Khanna asked.
“We have an incredible economic team that’s managing this better than what the previous administration did,” Hegseth said, before Khanna cut him off and said, “You don’t know what we paid in terms of the missiles that hit the Iranian school. You don’t know what we’re paying for gas. You don’t know what we’re paying for food. Your $25 billion number is totally off. It’s incompetence.”
‘You betrayed a lot of that MAGA base’
The debate expanded into nuclear policy, the legacy of the JCPOA, and broader foreign policy decisions. Khanna also questioned the administration’s handling of Iran’s nuclear program, saying that uranium enrichment levels have increased since the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
During the closing moment, Khanna claimed the administration betrayed the MAGA base and voters who expected lower costs and fewer wars.
“Do you know how much the enriched uranium was after you ripped up the JCPOA?” Khanna asked. Instead of responding, Hegseth criticized high gas prices in California and blaming Democratic policies. Khanna then accused the administration of breaking promises to lower costs and avoid prolonged conflicts.
“You know what? I’m sad. I’m sad for all the people who voted for Trump. I’m sad for them, because you betrayed them. You betrayed a lot of that MAGA base,” Khanna said, adding, “And you know, who knows that? JD Vance knows that.”