US Defense Secretary Hegseth Affirms Military Option to Prevent Iranian Nuclear Arms

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declared that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a top international priority, confirming that military intervention remains an available option if necessary. The administration maintains that a policy of maximum pressure and naval blockades has successfully compelled Tehran to engage in negotiations. Recent military operations have significantly degraded Iran’s air defense systems, as well as its naval and air force capabilities. These strikes have also successfully diminished the country’s domestic production capacity for missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Trump administration has set strict conditions for de-escalation, demanding that Iran relinquish its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and ensure the unrestricted passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. These requirements serve as the baseline for any potential diplomatic breakthrough. In response, Tehran is conditioning its cooperation on the lifting of international naval blockades and economic sanctions. Furthermore, the Iranian government is demanding the release of its frozen financial assets held abroad as a prerequisite for further talks.