US Congressman Eugene Vindman accused former President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of initiating the war on Iran without a clear exit strategy, despite being fully aware of the potential repercussions. Vindman stated on X that Secretary Hegseth had personally informed him the Department of Defense had prepared for all possible outcomes. He added that eight months into the conflict, US troops continue to bear the cost of a war started without a plan to finish it.