Hegseth, Caine to testify on Pentagon budget amid Iran war

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on April 8, 2026. The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7 barely an hour before President Donald Trump's deadline to obliterate the country, triggering global relief alongside apprehension. Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world's oil, gas and fertiliser passes, easing concerns for the battered global economy. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via ) Mandel Ngan | Afp | Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine are set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, the first time Trump's defense chief will take questions from lawmakers since the war against Iran began two months ago. Lawmakers are grilling Hegseth and Caine about the Pentagon budget, but the war with Iran is expected to loom large over the panel. The war has now dragged into its second month and has caused global economic turmoil as Iran has choked vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the conflict.