Iran US War News Live Updates: Hegseth faces new round of questioning from Congress on Iran war
A person rides a motorcycle over a US flag painted on a street, in Tehran, Iran, May 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Iran US War LIVE: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is back in the hot seat on Tuesday, May 12, facing a barrage of questions from a sceptical House Appropriations subcommittee as the war with Iran enters a volatile new phase. The high-stakes hearing comes at a precarious moment for the Trump administration. Domestic pressure is mounting as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) jumped 3.8 per cent over the last year, fueled by a 5.4 per cent spike in gasoline prices this past month alone.
The economic turbulence follows Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a choke point for 20 per cent of the world’s petroleum, in response to the US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
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Iran-US war ceasefire: Here are the latest developments:
- Hegseth vs. The Hill: The US Defence Secretary dismissed reports of munition shortages as “overstated,” sparking a sharp rebuke from lawmakers who demand transparency on “Plan B” options for the conflict.
- Economic toll: Fresh Labour Department data shows core inflation at 2.8 per cent, but the energy shock is hitting American wallets hard at the pump.
- Bipartisan friction: House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) warned that “America First has never meant America alone,” in a subtle nod toward the importance of NATO and global alliances.
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