Some members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred over Los Angeles troop deployments and the Israel-Iran war during a hearing on Wednesday morning.

U.S. Sen., Jeanne Shaheen asked Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday about how American troops in the Middle East will be kept safe as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies.

The United States appears to be moving closer to joining Israel’s conflict with Iran with a possible strike on the country’s key nuclear facilities – including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which is hidden deep inside a mountain.

For years, Israel contained its conflicts with Tehran, Hamas and Hezbollah. The broad assault on Iran highlights a shift in strategy.

About 40,000 U.S. personnel are spread throughout the region, giving Iran a chance to strike back at American military forces.