US Defense Secretary warns Iran: ‘We’ll negotiate with bombs’ if talks fail

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday issued a stark warning to Iran saying the United States is prepared to continue military operations unless Tehran agrees to terms proposed by President Donald Trump regarding its nuclear programmeSpeaking at the headquarters of the US Central Command CENTCOM at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida Hegseth said the Trump administration remains committed to reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran but warned that military pressure would continue if negotiations remain deadlockedHis remarks came amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran with both countries exchanging military actions in recent days and diplomatic efforts struggling to gain momentumHegseth signals possibility of further military actionAddressing reporters after receiving operational briefings from military commanders Hegseth indicated that additional US military operations were being preparedAccording to the Defense Secretary US President Donald Trump has made it clear that Washington is prepared to intensify pressure on Iran if negotiations fail to produce resultsHegseth argued that Tehran has repeatedly delayed progress despite what he described as opportunities to reach a comprehensive agreement with the United StatesHe stated that the military campaign is intended to strengthen Americas negotiating position and persuade Iran to accept a deal addressing concerns over its nuclear activitieslsquoNegotiation backed by military pressurersquoThroughout his remarks Hegseth maintained that military action and diplomacy are not mutually exclusive and can be pursued simultaneouslyHe said the Pentagons role is to create conditions that support diplomatic efforts by demonstrating American military capability and resolveIn one of the strongest statements of the briefing Hegseth said that if diplomacy fails the United States is prepared to continue pursuing its objectives through military meansThe comments reflected the Trump administrations increasingly assertive stance toward Iran as negotiations over its nuclear programme remain stalledUS claims control over Strait of Hormuz operationsHegseth also provided details about ongoing US military operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz one of the worlds most important energy transit routesAccording to him Washington has been working with regional partners to ensure commercial shipping continues despite threats posed by the conflictHe claimed that more than 100 million barrels of oil had passed through the strategic waterway under US protection in recent weeksThe Defense Secretary further asserted that American forces have disrupted Iranian maritime operations and prevented numerous vessels from accessing Iranian ports as part of broader efforts to increase pressure on TehranPentagon cites damage to Iranian military capabilitiesThe US official argued that recent military operations have significantly weakened Irans military infrastructureHe pointed to strikes targeting naval assets air defence systems military communications and other strategic capabilitiesWhile declining to discuss future target selections Hegseth said any further military action would focus on objectives that improve operational conditions for US forces and reduce Irans ability to project military powerHe rejected suggestions that future attacks would be indiscriminate and maintained that operations would remain focused on military objectivesIran nuclear dispute remains unresolvedThe latest escalation comes as negotiations over Irans nuclear programme remain at an impasseThe Trump administration has made preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon a central pillar of its Middle East policy Washington has been pushing for stricter limits on Irans nuclear activities and greater international oversightIran meanwhile maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes and has repeatedly resisted demands that it abandon key aspects of its nuclear infrastructureDifferences over sanctions relief uranium enrichment levels and verification mechanisms have continued to hinder progress in negotiationsDiplomatic window remains openDespite the tough rhetoric Hegseth repeatedly emphasised that the United States still prefers a negotiated outcomeHe described President Trump as committed to reaching a deal and urged Iran to engage constructively in the diplomatic processHowever his comments also underscored the administrations willingness to combine diplomacy with military pressure as part of its strategy toward TehranWith tensions rising across the region and both sides maintaining firm positions the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain Analysts warn that continued military exchanges could further complicate efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement and increase the risk of a broader regional conflictWith inputs from IANS