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Pete Hegseth Denies Lying to Trump on Iran Strategy During Senate Testimony

By Gabe Whisnant Newsweek

Updated April 30, 2026 9:55 AM

APTOPIX Senate Armed Services. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Cliff Owen AP

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that he has never lied to President Donald Trump about U.S. military strategy in Iran during Wednesday’s tense Senate hearing.

One day earlier, Democratic Representative Jason Crow of Colorado alleged that Hegseth was “repeatedly going behind Donald Trump’s back.”

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas also asked Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, whether he had ever lied to Trump, which Caine denied. Cotton said he questioned both Pete Hegseth and Caine about the allegations to give them an opportunity to clear the record.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Cliff Owen AP

This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:32 AM.

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