As U.S. strikes on Iran intensified Tuesday, frustration spilled over for senators on Capitol Hill who unsuccessfully sought answers on the war’s price tag.
“We have had problems getting information from you and from the Department of Defense,” Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Jack Reed told Jay Hurst in a Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing.
What You Need To Know
A member of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting with Iran’s representative to the United Nations
The State Department quashed the engagement, with an official telling Spectrum News it was “unconscionable” and that the Iranian ambassador “consistently works to undermine U.S. interests and whitewash his regime’s crimes”
In June, the State Department intervened to kill a meeting scheduled between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mamdani
Hurst is President Donald Trump’s pick to become the Department of Defense’s top financial official.
“I can’t emphasize enough. And you know, from your position, if we don’t know what is going on, then we’re not in a position to make judicious decisions,” Reed said.
During the hearing, Hurst said he could not provide an updated cost for the war in Iran. He stated that he was unable to do so because he stepped down as the Pentagon’s acting comptroller on May 20, when the president nominated him to fill the position permanently.
“The amount of spending is astronomical,” said New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
As lawmakers railed against the war and its price tag, Trump held an Oval Office meeting with the leader of Iran’s next-door neighbor — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi.
Trump promised the two men would do “a lot of deals” moving forward.
“We’re going to create a lot of jobs for both countries, and we’re going to be taking out a lot of oil,” said the president.
During the meeting, Trump backpedaled on his promise to enact a 20% cargo fee on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, an embattled critical oil passageway in the region. He insisted other Middle Eastern nations promised to invest in American companies in lieu of a fee.
He also mocked Iran, which recently launched two attacks, one fatal, on commercial ships in the Strait.
“We have been knocking the hell out of them,” Trump stated.
The developments come exactly one week after a member of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting with Iran’s representative to the United Nations.
The State Department quashed the engagement, with an official telling Spectrum News it was “unconscionable” and that the Iranian Ambassador “consistently works to undermine U.S. interests and whitewash his regime’s crimes.”
Mamdani claimed he “did not know about [the meeting] until there was a press inquiry regarding it.”
While most members of New York’s congressional delegation dodged Spectrum News’ questions about the meeting, two members defended it.
“As Americans who want the war to stop, we’re going to have to speak to them. Right?” Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who represents parts of Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, said.
“It’s not about meeting with Iranian officials. It’s about meeting with international officials. And I think that given the gateway from the globe into New York City, it’s not unheard of,” Rep. Yvette Clarke, who represents Brooklyn, told Spectrum News.
Spectrum News made multiple attempts to contact the official who attempted to meet with the Iranian ambassador — Commissioner Ana María Archila of the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs. She did not reply to Spectrum News’ inquiries.
In June, the State Department intervened to kill a meeting scheduled between Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mamdani.
The State Department revoked Petro’s visa last year after he delivered a speech at a pro-Palestine rally in New York City.
The State Department accused Petro of urging “soldiers to disobey orders and incite violence” in a New York rally after he called on American and Israeli troops “not to sanction a genocide” and called for a fighting force to come to Palestine’s aid.
“We will revoke Petro’s visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions,” the department wrote in a post on X.
Prior to Petro’s visa revocation, Trump and Petro were already at odds, with Trump labeling Petro a “drug leader.”