US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that Washington is prepared to resume military strikes against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce an agreement.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s leading security forum for defence officials, military leaders and diplomats, Hegseth said the United States remained fully capable of restarting military operations if required.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth said.
“Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place,” he added.
His comments came as negotiators from Washington and Tehran continued efforts to resolve major differences that have prevented a deal aimed at ending months of conflict.
Hegseth also rejected suggestions that the United States had shifted its focus away from the Asia-Pacific region because of its involvement in the Iran conflict.
“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building 2X, 3X, 4X the munitions very soon to ensure that all of our (operations) plans are properly funded throughout the world,” he said.
The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump remained committed to reaching an agreement with Tehran and was willing to give diplomacy time to succeed.
According to Hegseth, Trump was “patient” and wants to make a “great deal” that ensures Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
On Friday, Trump said he would meet in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on a proposal aimed at ending the Iran war. The proposal would extend an early-April truce by another 60 days to allow negotiators more time to secure a permanent settlement.
The conflict, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon. It has also disrupted global energy markets after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil supplies.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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