The United States has warned that it is prepared to restart military strikes against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to produce a lasting agreement, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth said Washington possessed the capability and military resources to resume operations if diplomacy breaks down.
“Our ability to recommence if necessary, we are more than capable,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. weapons stockpiles were sufficient to sustain military action if required.
The Pentagon chief stressed that the U.S. remained committed to security in the Indo-Pacific region despite its involvement in the conflict with Iran, insisting that Washington could simultaneously manage challenges in multiple regions.
“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so that we’re building two, three and four times the munitions needed to ensure our operational plans are properly funded around the world,” he said.
Hegseth also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for pursuing a diplomatic solution, describing him as “patient” and focused on securing an agreement that would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
His comments came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators continued efforts to bridge major differences that have stalled talks aimed at ending months of conflict. Trump said on Friday that he would meet with senior advisers in a secure room at the White House to make a “final determination” on a proposal that could extend an early-April truce by another 60 days and provide additional time for negotiations.
The war, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, has reportedly claimed thousands of lives, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, while also contributing to higher global energy prices.
