— President Donald Trump has been clear from the beginning, as he was before Operation Midnight Hammer, that Iran will not have a nuclear capability. So they can either negotiate on that section or we have other options, that's why there is a War Department,” Hegseth told reporters in Florida. Operation Midnight Hammer took place in the summer of 2025 and involved American forces attacking Iranian nuclear installations at a time when Israel was also conducting airstrikes on Iran.
What is the Pentagon's position on Iran?
When will the US and Iran talks take place?
What conditions did Trump set for Iran?
What actions is the US taking in the region?
The head of the Pentagon noted that Trump “does not want to go down this path (…), but our task is to be ready and of course we are, we are more than ready.”
Hegseth said Trump “is committed to peace, to an agreement, if Iran is serious about reaching an agreement.” – We'll see, it depends on Iran – added the head of the Pentagon.
Representatives of the US and Iran will meet in Istanbul on Friday to resume talks on the nuclear agreement
Donald Trump's threats against Iran
Trump in January repeatedly threatened Iran with intervention, including a military attack. The American leader initially announced that the possible operation would be a reaction to the bloody suppression of social protests by the Iranian regime. In recent days, he has focused his statements on the Iranian nuclear program.
The US president has declared several times that he is ready to talk with Tehran about an agreement on this matter. At the same time, he repeated threats of attack if the negotiations did not go his way.
Trump reportedly demanded that Iran meet three preliminary conditions: stopping uranium enrichment, limiting its ballistic missile program and ending support for regional entities. Iran has long rejected all three demands as unacceptable violations of its sovereignty.
The US has strengthened its military presence in the Middle East in recent weeks. Iran has already announced that in the event of aggression it will respond by attacking American military installations in the region.
