Story perspectives

Trump Orders Pickaxe Strike After Iranian Attack, Seeks $87.6B Funding

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman Dan Caine asked the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 21, 2026, for $87.6 billion in funding while Pentagon seeks $80 billion for costs.
An Iranian strike on a Jordan base killed two U.S. soldiers, left third missing, injured many and damaged helicopters.
President Donald Trump declared the July 8 cease-fire over, announced a strike on Pickaxe Mountain and warned Iran will pay for killing many times over.

History

Historical Context

In January 1991 the United States headed a 42-nation coalition in Operation Desert Storm, beginning an air campaign that ended on 23 February after more than 100,000 sorties. That war’s massive funding set a precedent for U.S. defense spending in Middle-East crises. Today officials are proposing a substantially larger budget as the United States prepares for renewed Iran-linked operations.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman Dan Caine asked the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 21, 2026, for $87.6 billion in funding while Pentagon seeks $80 billion for costs.
An Iranian strike on a Jordan base killed two U.S. soldiers, left third missing, injured many and damaged helicopters.
President Donald Trump declared the July 8 cease-fire over, announced a strike on Pickaxe Mountain and warned Iran will pay for killing many times over.

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