U.S. says THAAD interceptor missile transfer from S. Korea was planned

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during a Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing on May 13 that the transfer of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missiles from South Korea to the Middle East had been pre-planned. He emphasized that the move was 'closely reviewed' by the Joint Chiefs and civilian leadership, tied to a 'clear mission objective,' and not a reactive measure following attacks on U.S. bases during the Iran conflict, which ended with a ceasefire on April 7. Senator Brian Schatz questioned the apparent urgency of the transfers, suggesting they appeared reactive despite the conflict being anticipated. Hegseth rejected this, stating U.S. Central Command had taken 'every possible measure' to prepare for war. Senator Chris Coons also raised concerns about delays in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Hegseth dismissed as premature, noting Iran still poses risks to civilian shipping. Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst updated the cost of the Iran war to nearly $29 billion, a $4 billion increase from late April, citing higher repair, replacement, and operational expenses. Around $24 billion of this total covers equipment losses and replacements, excluding military construction costs. Restoration expenses for U.S. facilities in the Middle East remain under discussion due to ongoing force posture and burden-sharing negotiations. Lawmakers also pressed Hegseth on 'Project Freedom,' a mission to secure commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which was paused during negotiations involving Pakistan. Hegseth declined to comment on operational plans, but President Donald Trump suggested in a Fox News interview the project could resume and potentially expand. Rep. Betty McCollum criticized the lack of transparency, though Hegseth reiterated the U.S. remains focused on regional stability.