Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump remains committed to securing an agreement with Iran, but warned that the U.S. is prepared to use military force if negotiations fail.
Speaking to reporters before departing Singapore, where he attended the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, Hegseth described Trump as “laser-focused” on reaching what he called a strong and lasting deal that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“Any deal that the president is willing to make, he’s only going to make it if he believes it’s a great deal for our country and the security of the world,” Hegseth said.
“And only one president was willing to lay it out on the line and ensure after 47 years that Iran is not capable of having a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth added.
The comments come as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continue discussions aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear program and extending a fragile ceasefire following months of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Hegseth said Trump’s demands have remained unchanged throughout the negotiations.
“Those goalposts haven’t shifted at all, which is the expectation of the American people and what we’ve stated to Iran,” he said. “So, in the middle of negotiations, the closer they come to that reality, both now and into the future, the closer we’re going to get to that kind of a deal.”
While expressing optimism about the direction of the talks, Hegseth also reiterated Trump’s warning that military action remains an option.
“They can either do this now through a deal, and we think we’re in a good place to make that deal, or they can deal with the War Department, and we are prepared,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth added that U.S. forces are “postured even stronger today than we were on day one” and are prepared to respond if diplomacy breaks down.
Still, Hegseth said the administration believes negotiations are moving in the right direction.
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“Iran knows very, very clearly what our expectations are, and that’s on the negotiating team to deliver. They’re coming in our direction. The talks have been productive,” he said. “I think they know where it needs to go, and I’m quite confident with this — with our president, who makes nothing but great deals — that ultimately it’ll be something he’s proud to defend, that ensures that Iran, which everyone knows should not have a nuclear weapon, never does.”
