Greg Myrie

The Pentagon gave no information on where the troops might be sent.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week that, quote, the Americans clearly have no strategy for ending the war in Iran.

President Trump fired back, saying the German leader should worry more about his country and stop interfering in the Iran war.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee pressed Secretary Hegseth on the cost of the war and how it might end.

A combative Hegseth repeatedly pushed back, saying the biggest adversary at the moment was the, quote, "...reckless, feckless, and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans."

Committee members asked Hegseth if he understood the economic burden the war was imposing on American consumers.

In one exchange, Hegseth responded, What would you pay to ensure Iran doesn't get a nuclear bomb?

What would you pay?

Hegseth testifies again today before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Washington.

The U.S.

Navy has a substantial presence in the region, and President Trump says it won't take long for the U.S.

to, quote, clean out the Strait.

Still, the blockade comes with risks.

Iran is believed to have placed mines in the waterway.

Also, Iran says that if any of its ports are attacked, it will respond by attacking ports belonging to Arab Gulf countries.

Iran has effectively closed the waterway for the past several weeks, aside from a small number of friendly or neutral commercial ships it allows through.

It's not clear if any of those ships will attempt to challenge the U.S.

blockade.