Hegseth Announces Blockade of Iran and Requests $1.5 Trillion Budget

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 22, announcing that the United States has reimposed a blockade against Iran that he described as effectively impenetrable. Hegseth asserted that Iran is at its weakest military point in decades following strikes by US CENTCOM and Admiral Cooper that degraded Iranian capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.

The testimony accompanied a request for a $1.5 trillion defense budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Hegseth characterized the request as a generational investment necessary to correct funding shortfalls and gross negligence from the Joe Biden administration. He stated that these resources are required to maintain Donald Trump's objective of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Senator John Hoeven supported the request, describing the budget as a peace through strength package. He argued the funding would serve to deter Russia and China while helping to lower energy prices.