U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States is prepared to restart air and naval strikes on Iran if negotiations fail to produce an agreement. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth says U.S. forces maintain the capability and readiness to recommence attacks if necessary. He also points to existing military stockpiles and global deployments, saying the United States is “in a very good place” to act.
According to the reports, the comments come as U.S. and Iranian negotiators work to bridge major differences that are preventing a deal from being finalized. The outlets present Hegseth’s remarks as a statement of contingency planning tied to the status of the diplomatic efforts, rather than an indication that strikes are imminent. Overall, the sources agree that U.S. readiness to use force remains an option should diplomacy not succeed.
