Singapore: The United States issued a stark warning on Saturday that if diplomats cannot clinch a deal with Tehran, Washington is ready to restart aerial attacks on Iran within moments.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered the message while speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top defense forum, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran raced to close wide gaps blocking a breakthrough agreement, Reuters reported.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth said in Singapore. “Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place,” he added.
US Can Fight On Two Fronts
Hegseth pushed back against any suggestion that the Iran war had pulled American focus away from the Asia-Pacific region. “We can do two things at one time,” he said. “We’re super-charging ou
r 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”.
The Pentagon chief emphasized that President Donald Trump remains “patient” and is determined to secure a “great deal” that guarantees Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon.
Final Decision Imminent
On Friday, Trump said he would convene in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war. The deal would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, giving negotiators crucial time to forge a permanent end to the conflict.
“We’re close,” a senior US official told reporters off the record. The 60-day memorandum of understanding aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed, sending energy prices soaring worldwide.
War Toll Soars
The war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Day 91 of the conflict has seen intense diplomatic activity as both sides edge toward a breakthrough.
Stakes Remain High
Hegseth’s warning came as both sides recognize the high stakes. “Any deal will be a good deal,” the US defence secretary addressed reports of extending the Iran ceasefire. Yet the threat of renewed strikes looms large if negotiations collapse.