May 13 (Asia Today) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the transfer of interceptor missiles linked to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system deployed in South Korea to the Middle East had been planned in advance.

The Pentagon also estimated that the cost of the Iran war has risen to nearly $29 billion, or about 43.3 trillion won, after increasing by about $4 billion in the past two weeks.

Hegseth made the remarks during a Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing on the fiscal 2027 budget after Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, questioned the relocation of some THAAD and Patriot air defense assets from South Korea and other regions to the Middle East.

Schatz said U.S. forces appeared to have rushed air defense munitions and equipment into the region after American bases and allied facilities came under attack during the Iran conflict.

“Can you confirm that all of this was anticipated and part of the plan?” Schatz asked.

“I can reaffirm that all of this was contemplated,” Hegseth replied.

Hegseth said the moves had been “closely reviewed by the Joint Chiefs and civilian leadership” and were tied to “a very clear mission objective.”

Schatz’s reference to events “after the war ended” appeared to refer to the ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on April 7.

The comments renewed attention on remarks made last month by Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

Brunson said at the time that the THAAD system itself remained in South Korea but added that “we are sending ammunition and preparing for movement,” comments widely interpreted as referring to the redeployment of THAAD interceptor missiles to the Middle East.

Schatz criticized the apparent urgency of the transfers, saying it was difficult to understand why the United States seemed to be moving air defense assets in a reactive manner if the conflict had been anticipated.

Hegseth rejected the criticism, saying U.S. Central Command commanders had taken “every possible measure” to prepare for the war.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., also questioned whether delays in fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz reflected a broader strategic failure.

Hegseth dismissed the criticism, saying it was “foolish” to speak of strategic defeat while the conflict was still unfolding.

“I am not your enemy,” Coons responded, adding that Iran still retained the capability to harass and disrupt civilian shipping traffic.

At a separate House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing Tuesday, Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst said the Iran war, which began Feb. 28, had now cost nearly $29 billion.

The figure marked an increase from the $25 billion estimate Hurst gave lawmakers on April 29.

Hurst attributed the higher estimate to updated equipment repair and replacement costs as well as ongoing operational expenses associated with maintaining troop deployments in the region.

Asked about materiel losses and aircraft replacement costs, Hurst said approximately $24 billion was tied to repair and replacement expenses excluding military construction projects.

He added that restoration costs for U.S. military facilities in the Middle East had not yet been finalized because future force posture decisions and allied burden-sharing arrangements remain under discussion.

Lawmakers also pressed Hegseth about whether the United States would restart “Project Freedom,” an operation intended to support safe commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Hegseth declined to discuss operational plans publicly.

He said the operation had been temporarily paused during negotiations involving Pakistan but could resume at any time if ordered by President Donald Trump.

Trump said in a Fox News interview Monday that Project Freedom could be restarted and potentially expanded.

Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations defense panel, argued that congressional approval was required for military operations continuing after May 2 under the War Powers Resolution.

She requested detailed accounting records covering personnel costs, operational spending, ammunition usage, ship maintenance, fuel costs and facility damage before lawmakers begin formal appropriations deliberations on June 11.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260513010003130