The United States is prepared to launch further military action against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday, issuing a warning as negotiations continue to end the current conflict.
Hegseth made the remarks while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, one of Asia’s leading defence and security forums. His comments came at a time when diplomats from Washington and Tehran are attempting to reach a settlement aimed at ending the war.
Speaking at the conference, Hegseth stated that the United States retained the full capability to resume military operations if necessary. He said the country remained well positioned to respond to developments and that its military stockpiles were adequate not only for the current theatre of operations but also for similar situations elsewhere in the world.
The Pentagon chief also stressed that the conflict involving Iran had not diverted American attention away from the Asia-Pacific region. According to Hegseth, the United States is capable of managing multiple strategic priorities simultaneously.
“We can do both,” he said, referring to military commitments in the Middle East and continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific. He added that the United States was strengthening its defence industrial base and expected significant increases in ammunition production capacity. Hegseth said future output could be two, three or even four times current levels, helping to support military plans across different regions.
Hegseth further argued that President Donald Trump had shown considerable patience regarding the Iran issue and remained interested in securing what he described as a strong agreement. According to the Defence Secretary, the objective of such a deal would be to ensure that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.
A day earlier, on Friday, Trump said he would hold discussions in a secure room at the White House to make a “final decision” regarding a proposal intended to bring the conflict to an end. The proposal includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire that was agreed in early April. The extension is intended to provide diplomats from both countries with additional time to negotiate a permanent peace settlement.
Key Developments
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| US position | Prepared to resume military strikes if no agreement is reached |
| Statement by Defence Secretary | US retains full capability to launch further attacks if required |
| Diplomatic efforts | Washington and Tehran continue negotiations to end the conflict |
| Proposed measure | Extension of the ceasefire by an additional 60 days |
| US objective | Prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons |
| Venue of remarks | Shangri-La Dialogue, Singapore |
According to the report, the conflict began on 28 February following a joint operation by the United States and Israel. Since then, the war has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, most of whom are reported to be citizens of Iran and Lebanon.
The conflict has also had significant economic consequences. The report states that Iran closed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a move that contributed to a sharp rise in global oil prices. The resulting increase in energy costs has created broader pressures on international markets and raised concerns about the impact on the global economy.
While diplomatic contacts remain ongoing, the latest comments from the US Defence Secretary indicate that Washington continues to keep military options available should negotiations fail to produce a settlement. At the same time, both sides are pursuing discussions aimed at achieving a longer-term agreement and bringing the conflict to a close.