US ready for military action if Iran nuclear talks fail, Hegseth warns

WASHINGTON, May 27: Pete Hegseth said the United States is prepared to take military action against Iran if negotiations fail to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Speaking during a White House Cabinet meeting, Hegseth said President Donald Trump had created conditions aimed at protecting both the United States and the wider world from what he described as a “generational nuclear threat” posed by Iran.

Hegseth referred to “Operation Epic Fury,” saying the administration had relied on decisive force rather than repeating what he called failed US war strategies used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to Hegseth, Iran’s navy, air force, air defense systems and defense industrial infrastructure had suffered severe damage. He claimed Tehran may still possess missiles, but cannot currently produce missiles, drones and naval assets at previous levels.

He added that military pressure, along with what he described as a “world-class blockade” on Iranian ports, had helped push Tehran back to the negotiating table.

Hegseth also said US intelligence assessments showed Iran’s economy had been heavily impacted because the blockade targeted what he called the country’s economic lifeline.

The US defense chief further claimed Washington had intensified pressure on Iran’s shadow tanker fleet, arguing that no Iranian tanker was safe anywhere in the world and that repeated seizures had placed additional strain on Tehran’s economy.

Hegseth said the US objective remained unchanged — ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, whether through diplomacy or, if necessary, renewed military action.