White House Backs Hegseth as New Details Come Out About Iran War's Cost

The White House has officially declared its support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is currently facing an impeachment attempt in Congress. After Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against the Pentagon chief, Attorney General Todd Blanche defended him publicly, stating that Hegseth was doing an excellent job.

Meanwhile, new financial data has revealed the massive economic burden of the conflict. The military's inspector general estimated that the war had already cost the United States $33.4 billion by mid-June. Furthermore, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office warned that the government could spend an additional $2 billion every month for the duration of the hostilities.

On the diplomatic front, a senior Iranian official recently dismissed President Trump's contradictory statements regarding potential peace negotiations. The official declared that the situation was now completely different, insisting that no diplomatic talks would occur until Iran's specific conditions were met.

At the same time, Beijing has signaled its continued backing of Tehran. During a meeting in the Chinese capital, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that China was prepared to protect Iran's legitimate rights and interests. Wang also urged both the United States and Iran to remain rational. This diplomatic support suggests that China will not cooperate with American efforts to isolate Iran economically. Last year, Chinese purchases of Iranian crude oil funded nearly 45 percent of Iran's national budget, providing a vital lifeline despite Washington's strict financial sanctions.