U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday, May 30, that America stands ready to resume military strikes against Iran if ongoing talks collapse.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth said the Pentagon has the weapons and the will to restart operations against Iran.
His warning comes just one day after President Donald Trump huddled with top advisers in the White House Situation Room to weigh a possible extension of the ceasefire.
Pete Hegseth Warns Military Option Remains on the Table
“Our ability to recommence if necessary… we are more than capable,” Hegseth told defense officials and diplomats gathered at Asia’s top security forum. “Our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe, so we’re in a very good place.”
The comments came amid delicate negotiations to extend an April truce for another 60 days.
That pause in fighting followed U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites earlier this year.
The proposed deal would give negotiators time to hammer out a longer-term agreement while reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
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Hegseth noted that the U.S. has not taken its eye off the Asia-Pacific even while engaged in the Middle East.
“We can do two things at one time,” he said. The Pentagon is ramping up production, “super-charging our defense industrial base” to build two, three, or four times as many munitions as before. The goal is to keep all U.S. war plans funded worldwide.
Hegseth also described Trump as patient and firm. He noted that the president wants a “great deal” that guarantees Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon and allows free passage through the critical oil shipping lane.
Trump Weighs 60-Day Ceasefire Extension
On Friday, before the Situation Room meeting, Trump said he would make a final call on the 60-day extension proposal.
No final decision had been announced by Saturday morning. White House officials have stayed quiet on the outcome of the high-stakes huddle.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, brings together defense chiefs, generals, and diplomats from dozens of countries.
Hegseth used the platform to reassure Asian partners that Washington is still committed to the region despite the conflict with Iran.
He also pushed allies to spend more on their own defense, a consistent theme of the Trump administration.
Strait of Hormuz and Nuclear Dispute Remain Key Obstacles
Meanwhile, the tensions in the Middle East remain high. The April ceasefire has been shaky, with occasional violations reported on both sides.
Iran’s nuclear program sits at the heart of the dispute. U.S. officials insist Tehran must abandon any path to a bomb and accept strict oversight of its enriched uranium stockpiles.
Iranian leaders have pushed back, calling some American demands excessive.
Oil markets have fluctuated with every change in the talks. The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments. Its closure earlier this year sent prices spiking.
Trump wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to all, with no tolls on any ship. Iran, on the other hand, wants to control the Strait and charge a fee for passage.
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Hegseth’s remarks implied that while the U.S. prefers a diplomatic solution, he left no doubt that military options stay on the table.
Pentagon planners have been working to rebuild stockpiles depleted during the initial campaign, with sources saying production lines for precision missiles and other key munitions are expanding rapidly.
Democrats and a few Republicans have been questioning whether another round of fighting would attain lasting results. Some are concerned about the human and financial costs after months of conflict.
The White House and Trump allies argue that the initial strikes set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back significantly and forced Tehran to the negotiating table.
In recent days, Iran has warned that Tehran still retains the capability to strike the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East if fighting resumes.
