By — Maria Ramirez Uribe Maria Ramirez Uribe Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-you-sir-are-the-failure-sen-peters-tells-hegseth-over-lack-of-u-s-strategy-in-iran-war Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: 'You, sir, are the failure,' Sen. Peters tells Hegseth over lack of U.S. strategy in Iran war Politics Jul 21, 2026 7:14 PM EDT Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday that he has failed U.S. troops. Watch the clip in the video player above. "The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, reminding everybody it was open before the war. Prices were lower for everybody until the war, … and of course, tragically, people, service members, our warfighters who we care deeply about, are still dying. So what's different?" Peters asked Hegseth. READ MORE: Senators grilled Hegseth on Iran. Here are 3 big moments from the hearing Hegseth said Peters' characterization of the war "as a failure is reckless." He said Peters' statement "smears the sacrifice" troops are making "on behalf of the American people to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Peters pushed back. "You, sir, are the failure, not the men and women who are on that front line, not the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction," he told Hegseth. "If there's a lack of a winning strategy, they're in harm's way, their leaders have failed them, and that's what's happening." READ MORE: U.S. soldier killed in Iraq was 30-year-old father from North Carolina Hegseth told Peters to "show some leadership" and agree to fund the Department of Defense. The Trump administration has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding, the bulk of which would be used for the U.S. war with Iran. "It's not a question of money. It's a question of leadership and understanding what it takes to actually win," Peters said. Hegseth's 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. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Maria Ramirez Uribe Maria Ramirez Uribe
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday that he has failed U.S. troops. Watch the clip in the video player above. "The Strait of Hormuz is still closed, reminding everybody it was open before the war. Prices were lower for everybody until the war, … and of course, tragically, people, service members, our warfighters who we care deeply about, are still dying. So what's different?" Peters asked Hegseth. READ MORE: Senators grilled Hegseth on Iran. Here are 3 big moments from the hearing Hegseth said Peters' characterization of the war "as a failure is reckless." He said Peters' statement "smears the sacrifice" troops are making "on behalf of the American people to ensure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon." Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Peters pushed back. "You, sir, are the failure, not the men and women who are on that front line, not the men and women who hold up their honor with distinction," he told Hegseth. "If there's a lack of a winning strategy, they're in harm's way, their leaders have failed them, and that's what's happening." READ MORE: U.S. soldier killed in Iraq was 30-year-old father from North Carolina Hegseth told Peters to "show some leadership" and agree to fund the Department of Defense. The Trump administration has requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding, the bulk of which would be used for the U.S. war with Iran. "It's not a question of money. It's a question of leadership and understanding what it takes to actually win," Peters said. Hegseth's 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. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now