Amna Nawaz
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WATCH: Reed presses Hegseth on whether they anticipated Strait of Hormuz closure in war planning
Posted
July 21, 2026
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July 21, 2026
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2:53Now PlayingSen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday in a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The senator asked Hegseth if he was unaware of the possibility of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping channel, closing amid conflict, given the department has been planning for potential operations against Iran for years.
Hegseth said the strait was “front and center” in every aspect of the department’s planning.
Reed added that sinking Iran’s ships didn’t affect the country’s ability to effectively close the strait. He accused Hegseth of not fully informing the president, including how the strait’s closure could lead to soaring U.S. gas prices.
Hegseth, Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins testified Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee about the Trump administration’s $87.6 billion supplemental funding request, the bulk of which would be used for the U.S.war with Iran.
Their appearance before Senate lawmakers comes after the U.S. rolled out its 10th consecutive night of strikes against Iran. At least three American service members have been killed in recent days. As war between the two nations intensifies, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, forcing U.S. gas prices to jump again.
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