US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the United States is prepared to launch further military strikes against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce an agreement, reports Reuters.
His remarks came as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to bridge significant differences that remain obstacles to a potential deal.
Speaking at a major Asia-Pacific defense conference in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth said the US military remains fully capable of carrying out additional operations if necessary.
“We have the capability to resume operations if required. We are fully prepared for that,” he said.
Hegseth added that the US arsenal was well-equipped for such missions and that the country possessed the necessary military capabilities not only in the Middle East but across other regions of the world.
“In that regard, we are in a very strong position,” he said.
The Pentagon chief also stressed that the conflict involving Iran had not distracted the United States from its commitments in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We can do more than one thing at a time,” Hegseth said, noting that the US was rapidly expanding its defense industrial base.
He said efforts were underway to significantly increase weapons and ammunition production, potentially doubling, tripling or even quadrupling output in the near future to support military requirements across multiple theatres.
According to Hegseth, President Donald Trump has maintained a patient approach and remains committed to securing an agreement that would permanently prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
On Friday, Trump said he would make a final decision in the White House Situation Room regarding a proposal aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.
Under the proposal, a ceasefire that took effect in early April could be extended by another 60 days to allow negotiators additional time to reach a lasting settlement.
The conflict, which began on February 28 following military operations launched by the United States and Israel, has reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths in Iran and Lebanon.
The crisis has also affected the global economy, with energy prices rising sharply after Iran effectively restricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil transit routes.
