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The hours-long hearing was the first time the US defence secretary had faced questions under oath since the conflict began.
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Hegseth, who faced questions under oath for the first time since the war started, appeared on Wednesday before the House Armed Services Committee, alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Dan Caine and the defence department's chief financial officer Jules Hurst.
The defence secretary faced questions over the cost of the war, and said the "biggest adversary we face" was the "defeatist words" of Democrats and some Republicans.
Here are three key takeaways from Wednesday's hearing. The group will also appear before the equivalent Senate committee on Thursday.
Money was a major talking point during the hearing.
Hurst revealed that the war had cost the US $25bn (£18.5bn) so far, and that most of the expenses had been for munitions and to replace equipment.
He said a full assessment of the cost would be provided at a later time. The US and Iran have agreed on a ceasefire to allow for peace talks, but the conflict has not officially ended.
Democratic lawmakers on the committee criticised how federal money was being used.
The White House has asked Congress to boost the US defence budget to $1.5tn (£1.1tn), a sweeping rise that would mark the largest expansion in military spending since World War Two.
Hegseth told the committee the budget request "reflects the urgency of the moment".
Gen Caine said the $1.5tn "represents a historic down payment for future security" that would allow the US to get ahead of fast-evolving technology.
Democrats on the committee often characterised the US military action in Iran as an expensive "war of choice" that had been waged without the approval of Congress.
"You have been lying to the American public about this war from day one, and so has the president," California Democrat John Garamendi said. He tol
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