Pentagon chief Hegseth says US ‘watching Iran 24/7’ to track nuclear program

2 min read Updated: Apr 30, 2026 12:08 AM IST Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appears before a House Committee on Armed Services business meeting on the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2027 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has denied that America and Israel’s war on Iran is a “quagmire” and called Democratic lawmakers “feckless” for criticising the conflict. Hegseth, who was testifying before the Congress for the first time since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, asked the lawmakers to approve a $1.5 trillion defence budget and criticised some lawmakers as “the biggest challenge” in the war effort. Democrats grilled Hegseth as he appeared before the House armed services committee alongside Genral Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff with Representative John Garamendi of California calling it a “quagmire” and “political and economic disaster at every level.” In response to Garamendi, Hegseth said, “You ​call it ⁠a quagmire, handing propaganda to our enemies? Shame on you for that ​statement,” and called Congressional Democrats “reckless, ⁠feckless, and defeatist.” Defending the US military’s Operation Epic Fury against Iran, the Pentagon chief angrily further said, “Don’t say: ‘I support the troops on one hand, and then a two-month ⁠mission ​is a quagmire.’ … Who are you ​cheering for here? Who you pulling for?” Providing rationale behind the conflict in West Asia, Hegseth said that Iran war was necessary because Tehran had not let go of its “nuclear ambitions.” However, the defence secretary and the defence department’s chief spokesperson had said in June last year after launching attacks that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were “obliterated”. During the committee hearing in the Congress, Hegseth said, “Their nuclear facilities have been obliterated, underground they’re buried, and we’re watching them 24/7 so we know where any nuclear material might be.” Story continues below this ad Hegseth further defended the US military, saying the defence personnel put in “maximum defensive posture” capabilities in the Middle East ahead of the war with Iran in February. “What I’m saying is before the commencement of the conflict, we put in maximum defensive posture we could…we moved … 7,500 troops off of the X based on the intel,” Hegseth said. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: Strait of Hormuz US Iran tensions