Yassamin Ansari demands Hegseth impeachment over Iran war

WASHINGTON: US Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari has called for the impeachment of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, sharply criticising the Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran and demanding an immediate end to the conflict.

In a statement shared on X, Ansari accused the administration of pursuing a war that, in her view, has failed to achieve its stated objectives while causing significant civilian and military casualties.

Ansari claimed that over the six months since President Donald Trump initiated military action against Iran, a US strike on a school resulted in the deaths of 120 children. She also claimed that 18 American service members had been killed during the conflict.

The congresswoman further argued that the war had imposed economic costs on ordinary Americans, including higher fuel prices. She said US citizens were facing record-level petrol prices as the conflict continued.

Ansari also raised questions about potential financial interests surrounding the administration. She alleged that Trump and his sons had continued to make profits through investments in defence technology companies that obtained government contracts.

The allegations add to broader debates in Washington over the relationship between government policy, defence spending and private financial interests.

Ansari argued that the military campaign had failed to deliver the objectives promised by the administration. She specifically criticised both Trump and Hegseth, saying that neither had succeeded in achieving a clear strategic outcome from the Iran conflict.

She maintained that the deaths of US military personnel, children and other civilians could not be justified without a clearly defined and achievable objective.

“The war must end immediately,” Ansari said, while also calling for congressional action against Hegseth.

Her demand for the defence secretary’s impeachment represents a strong political challenge to the administration’s handling of the conflict. Any impeachment effort would require action by the US House of Representatives and could potentially lead to a trial in the Senate.

Ansari’s comments also highlight the wider political dispute in the United States over the cost, purpose and consequences of military intervention against Iran.

While supporters of the administration could argue that military action is necessary to protect US security interests, critics such as Ansari contend that continued operations risk further casualties and economic pressure without delivering a clear strategic benefit.

The congresswoman’s statement therefore combines calls for an end to military operations with demands for greater accountability over the decisions that led to the conflict.