Pete Hegseth denies Iran war is a ‘quagmire’ as cost to US hits estimated $25bn - The Guardian

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly rejected the characterization of the Iran campaign as a “quagmire,” even as reporting put the estimated U.S. cost at about $25 billion and he sparred with lawmakers over the operation. His upbeat framing contrasts with fact-checks that caution against calling the conflict a decisive victory and with military leaders who have warned the ceasefire may be only a pause. The cost estimate feeds into growing Republican concern about war spending and highlights tensions between political messaging and the financial, strategic, and human costs of the campaign.