Trump ally lashes out at Pete Hegseth in tense moment during congressional hearing - BERITAJA

In a melodramatic Capitol Hill clash, Senator Lindsey Graham publically confronted Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, venting vexation complete the stalled Iran warfare and questioning whether Pakistan could service arsenic a neutral mediator.

The heated speech exposed increasing unease wrong some parties arsenic the conflict entered its 3rd period without a clear resolution.

Pakistan and Iranian aircraft

The confrontation erupted aft Graham cited a CBS News study published a time earlier alleging that Pakistan, the designated mediator successful U.S.-Iran bid talks, had allowed Iranian subject craft to onshore astatine Pakistani aerial bases. The study raised concerns that Islamabad whitethorn person helped Iran shield subject assets from imaginable U.S. strikes, a move critics opportunity conflicts pinch its domiciled arsenic a neutral mediator.

Graham first questioned the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine.

“Are you alert of reports that Pakistan are allowing their bases to beryllium utilized to parkland Iranian aircraft, General Caine?” Graham asked.

Caine said he had seen 1 study but declined to remark connected its accuracy, citing the classified quality of the negotiations.

Unsatisfied, Graham turned to Hegseth.

“Secretary Hegseth, if the mediator is allowing reconnaissance craft from Iran to beryllium parked successful Pakistani aerial bases, do you deliberation that’s accordant pinch being a adjacent mediator?” Graham pressed.

Hegseth tried to debar the issue.

“Again, I wouldn’t want to get successful the mediate of these negotiations,” Hegseth began earlier Graham interrupted.

“Well, I do!” Graham fired back. “I want to get successful the mediate of these negotiations. I don’t spot Pakistan arsenic acold arsenic I could propulsion ’em. If they really do person Iranian craft parked successful Pakistan bases to protect Iranian subject assets, that tells maine we should beryllium looking possibly for personification other to mediate. No wonderment this damn point is going nowhere!”

Graham added, “I admit each you’ve done. I’m very supportive of it, but erstwhile it comes to Pakistan and China, capable already!”

Trump defends Pakistan

The outburst besides put Graham astatine likelihood pinch President Donald Trump, who dismissed concerns about Pakistan’s negotiated domiciled while speaking to reporters earlier boarding Air Force One.

“The Pakistanis person been great, the section marshal and the premier curate of Pakistan person been great,” Trump said earlier departing for China. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were scheduled to meet successful Beijing connected May 14-15 aft a antecedently delayed acme tied to the Iran conflict. Discussions were expected to see trade, technology, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the ongoing war.

Iran fires backmost astatine American taxpayers

As the Capitol Hill proceeding unfolded, Iranian officials besides escalated their rhetoric.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted connected X, “The longer they resistance their feet, the much American taxpayers will salary for it.”

There is nary replacement but to judge the authorities of the Iranian group arsenic laid retired successful the 14-point proposal.
Any different attack will beryllium wholly inconclusive; thing but 1 nonaccomplishment aft another.
The longer they resistance their feet, the much American taxpayers will salary for it.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) May 11, 2026

Ghalibaf, who is besides starring Iran’s ceasefire negotiations, based on that immoderate lasting ceasefire would require lifting the U.S. naval blockade.

When asked about rising costs for Americans, Trump responded bluntly.” The only point that matters erstwhile I’m talking about Iran, they can’t person a atomic weapon. I don’t deliberation about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t deliberation about anybody,” he said.

China’s domiciled comes into focus

Graham besides singled retired China during the hearing, arguing that Beijing holds awesome leverage successful the conflict. Hegseth agreed China remains an influential player, though Trump downplayed Beijing’s domiciled up of the summit.

China remains 1 of Iran’s largest lipid customers, though analysts opportunity Beijing has softened the economical effect of disruptions successful the Strait of Hormuz done power stockpiles and diversified imports.

Analysts besides statement that immoderate U.S.-China practice connected reopening the Strait of Hormuz could easiness unit connected lipid markets and world power supplies, perchance giving Beijing added leverage heading into the summit.