Pakistan, May 1 -- US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a forceful testimony before Congress, strongly defending the Trump administration's military actions in Iran while acknowledging strain on US weapons stockpiles following the conflict.

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During the hearing, Democratic lawmakers questioned the scope and consequences of the recent Iran operation, with Congressman John Garamendi of California describing the war as a "quagmire" and warning of political and economic fallout. Hegseth responded sharply, rejecting the characterization and accusing critics of providing propaganda space to US adversaries.

He said labeling the conflict as a quagmire was "disresp...