US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that the United States is ready to launch new strikes against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to produce a strong agreement. His remarks came as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations aimed at resolving key disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and regional tensions.
Speaking on Saturday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump remains committed to securing a deal that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He stressed that while diplomacy remains the preferred path, the United States has the capability to act if necessary.
Trump said he would meet with senior advisers at the White House to make a final decision on a proposed agreement related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. However, Iranian officials maintained that no final deal had been reached. Reports from Iranian media also challenged parts of Trump’s description of the negotiations.
According to US officials, discussions have continued for weeks in an effort to ease tensions that have affected the Middle East and created uncertainty in global markets. Trump reportedly held a lengthy meeting with advisers but did not make a final decision on the proposal.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also addressed growing concerns about China’s expanding military influence in the Asia-Pacific region. He called on regional allies to increase defence spending and strengthen security cooperation.
Hegseth said China’s military expansion has raised concerns among neighbouring countries and warned that no single nation should dominate the region. He argued that maintaining a balance of power is essential for regional stability and economic prosperity.
The Pentagon chief said the United States expects its Asian partners to gradually raise defence spending to 3.5 percent of their gross domestic product. He noted that Washington is making major investments in its own military capabilities while encouraging allies to take greater responsibility for their security.
Despite concerns over strategic competition, Hegseth described current US-China relations as more stable than in recent years. He highlighted ongoing military communication between both countries as an important tool for reducing tensions and preventing misunderstandings.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also repeated the Trump administration’s position that wealthy allies should contribute more to their own defence. He said strong alliances require shared commitments and that the era of relying heavily on US support is coming to an end.
Discussing Taiwan, Hegseth said any future decision on a major US arms package would be made by President Trump. Taiwan is reportedly awaiting approval for a defence package worth billions of dollars, but the administration has not yet confirmed its final decision.
He emphasized that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged and that future actions will depend on broader relations between Washington and Beijing.
