US Military Capable of Resuming War Against Iran, Says US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Singapore: Fresh uncertainty surrounds efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, despite indications from Washington that a diplomatic breakthrough may be within reach.

US President Donald Trump has reiterated that any agreement with Tehran must guarantee that Iran is permanently prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons. His remarks came as senior administration officials continued discussions over a possible framework aimed at ending the conflict that has unsettled energy markets and heightened security concerns across the West Asia.

Although the White House suggested progress had been made in negotiations, Iranian officials pushed back against claims that a final understanding had been reached. Trump spent several hours in consultations with national security advisers at the White House but left without announcing a decision on the proposed arrangement.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that Washington retained the military capability to resume operations against Iran if diplomacy failed. He said American forces and weapons stockpiles remained positioned to respond rapidly to any escalation.

The fragile peace process has faced setbacks in recent days following US military action targeting Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation. Even so, diplomatic contacts have continued, including discussions connected to the conflict in Lebanon, which Iran has insisted should be addressed as part of any broader regional settlement.

Beyond the Middle East, Hegseth used the Singapore summit to address concerns over China's expanding military influence. While warning that regional governments were increasingly wary of Beijing’s growing capabilities, he emphasized that the United States was seeking stability rather than confrontation.

The Pentagon chief said Washington aimed to maintain a balanced security environment in Asia and remained open to constructive engagement with China. He also reaffirmed longstanding US policy toward Taiwan, while noting that future decisions regarding arms sales to the island would ultimately rest with the president.

The annual summit brought together defense officials and security experts from dozens of countries amid rising geopolitical tensions across multiple regions.