Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before Congress on May 12, 2026 that the 74-day U.S.-Iran war has cost $29 billion and requested $1.5 trillion in additional military funding to maintain American military capabilities. Despite Trump's claim of a 100 percent effective blockade, U.S. intelligence assessments show Iran has restored 30 of 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz and retains 70 percent of its pre-war missile stockpile and mobile launchers. Diplomatic talks remain stalled after Trump rejected Iran's response as completely unacceptable, while Tehran demands the U.S. end the war, lift blockades, and release frozen assets. Trump visited China on May 13, 2026 to pressure Xi Jinping on the conflict, though he stated he does not need China's help and is focused solely on preventing Iranian nuclear weapons regardless of Americans' financial situations.
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