By Gloria Ogbonna
President Donald Trump remains firmly committed to securing a comprehensive agreement with Iran, according to U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who emphasized Saturday that while diplomacy remains the administration’s preferred path, Washington is fully prepared to use military force if negotiations fail.
Speaking to reporters in Singapore following the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, Hegseth said the Trump administration believes progress is being made in ongoing discussions with Tehran. However, he made it clear that Iran faces a critical choice: reach a deal that satisfies U.S. demands or risk confronting American military power.
“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,” Hegseth said, underscoring the administration’s determination to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
The secretary stressed that President Trump remains focused on diplomacy and hopes a peaceful resolution can be achieved. Nevertheless, he noted that the United States has significantly strengthened its military posture and stands ready to act if negotiations break down.
“We are prepared—we’re postured even stronger today than we were on day one—to address it that way if we have to, but he’d prefer not to,” Hegseth explained.
His remarks came shortly after President Trump convened a high-level meeting in the White House Situation Room with senior national security advisers. The meeting reportedly lasted nearly two hours and focused on a proposed framework agreement with Iran that could extend the current ceasefire, reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, and establish a 60-day period for additional negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program and other unresolved issues.
Before the meeting, Trump indicated he would make a final determination regarding the proposal. However, no official decision was announced afterward. White House officials later clarified that any agreement must meet the president’s strict conditions, particularly ensuring that Iran is permanently prevented from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
Hegseth repeatedly emphasized that the administration’s standards have not changed and that any deal must be both enforceable and beneficial to American national security and global stability.
“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 stated.
He further praised Trump’s approach to the Iranian nuclear issue, arguing that the president remains committed to achieving a lasting solution after decades of international concern over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“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 said, adding that Trump’s objectives have remained consistent throughout the negotiations.
According to Hegseth, recent discussions suggest Iran may be moving closer to meeting American expectations. While he did not provide specific details about the talks, he described them as productive and indicated that Tehran understands Washington’s requirements.
“Iran knows very, very clearly what our expectations are, and that’s on the negotiating team to deliver,” he said. “They’re coming in our direction. The talks have been productive. I think they know where it needs to go.”
At the same time, the Pentagon chief stressed that the United States continues to maintain substantial military and economic pressure on Iran. He reiterated that American forces remain fully capable of responding if diplomatic efforts collapse.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary is that we are more than capable,” Hegseth said. “Our stockpiles are more than suited” for operations in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.
The comments come amid continued tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. On Saturday, Oman’s Maritime Security Centre issued an alert after a suspected floating naval mine was detected in the waterway, warning ships operating in the area to exercise extreme caution.
The warning followed statements from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which indicated that vessels involved in laying mines in or around the Strait of Hormuz could face military action from the United States. Washington has repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining safe passage through the waterway, through which a significant portion of the world’s energy supplies pass each day.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Iranian lawmakers are considering legislation that would formalize Tehran’s sovereignty claims over the Strait of Hormuz. Such a move would likely intensify tensions with the United States, which insists that the strategic passage remain open to unrestricted international shipping.
Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. naval blockade associated with the ongoing conflict remains in effect while negotiations continue regarding the future status of the strait.
“The blockade is very much still in place,” he said, while expressing optimism that the waterway could eventually return to normal operations. He added that the administration envisions “an open strait, a toll-free strait that the entire world can use.”
President Trump also reinforced his position on Friday, stating that any final agreement with Iran must include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of remaining naval mines, and an unequivocal commitment from Tehran to abandon nuclear weapons ambitions permanently.
“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Iranian officials, however, have continued to push back against Washington’s public characterization of the negotiations. While signaling interest in ending hostilities, they have expressed skepticism regarding U.S. demands and assurances.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran remains focused primarily on ending the conflict and is not currently discussing specific details of its nuclear program.
At the same time, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf voiced doubts about American commitments, stating that Iran has little faith in promises or guarantees from Washington.
“We have no trust in guarantees or words—only actions are the measure,” Qalibaf reportedly said.
As negotiations continue, the future of U.S.-Iran relations remains uncertain. While both sides have expressed interest in avoiding further conflict, significant differences remain over nuclear restrictions, regional security concerns, and the future status of the Strait of Hormuz.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can succeed or whether tensions will once again escalate toward confrontation.
Source: Breitbart