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US Defence Secretary seeks $70 billion as strikes on Iran enter eleventh night

The US Defence Secretary has formally requested an extra $70 billion to sustain military operations against Iran, coinciding with the eleventh consecutive night of strikes and Iranian air defence activations in the capital.

Author
Adrian Cole
Political Correspondent
Published
Draft
Source: Al Jazeera Global News · original
War on Iran: Hegseth wants $70B more to keep fighting
Hegseth requests additional funding while Tehran activates air defences

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has submitted a request for an additional $70 billion in funding to support ongoing military operations against Iran. The proposal comes as the conflict enters its eleventh consecutive night, with US forces continuing their strike campaign against Iranian targets.

The funding request is being made at a critical juncture in the military engagement. According to reports from Al Jazeera Global News, Iranian authorities have activated air defence systems across Tehran in response to the sustained aerial activity. This defensive measure underscores the intensity of the current phase of the operation.

The source material indicates that the $70 billion figure is intended specifically to sustain the current military effort. However, the legislative status of this request remains unconfirmed. It is not specified whether the US Congress has approved the additional expenditure or if the figure remains a preliminary proposal from the Defence Department.

Concurrent with the financial request, the operational situation on the ground has escalated. The activation of air defences in Tehran marks a significant development in the eleventh night of strikes. The provided records do not detail the specific outcomes of these defensive activations or the strategic impact of the US military actions.

The reporting from Al Jazeera frames the event within the context of an active conflict, though the source material refers to the actions as "military operations" and "strikes" rather than a formally declared war. Caution is advised when interpreting the legal status of the engagement, as the provided text does not substantiate claims regarding the effectiveness of the Iranian air defences or the broader strategic implications of the campaign.

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