Defence secretary Pete Hegseth (file photo)
The United States on Saturday warned that it remains prepared to resume military operations against Iran if necessary, as President Donald Trump reiterated that any agreement with Tehran must meet key US conditions, including a permanent end to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.According to US officials cited by AFP, a draft framework is awaiting Trump’s approval. However, the president stopped short of making a decision following a meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday.Speaking at a defence summit in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed Washington’s military readiness, saying the US was “more than capable” of restarting the war if required and that “our stockpiles are more than suited for that.”US Central Command (CENTCOM) reinforced that message, stating on X that American forces “remain present and vigilant across the region.”The remarks came amid conflicting signals over a possible breakthrough in negotiations. While the White House has indicated that Trump is weighing a potential agreement, Iranian officials insist that talks have not yet produced a final deal.Although a ceasefire brokered in April has largely held, tensions continue to simmer. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that the country’s air defence systems intercepted a drone on Saturday, describing it as one “belonging to the US-Zionist aggressor enemy.”At the same time, diplomatic efforts have continued. Discussions have also focused on the conflict in Lebanon, which Iran has insisted on as a condition to any broader agreement with Washington. Israeli forces have continued advancing in southern Lebanon even as military delegations from Israel and Lebanon met at the Pentagon on Friday.Trump has outlined several conditions for a deal, including guarantees that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons and the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” a White House official told AFP, adding: “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”Iran, however, has rejected what it sees as US attempts to dictate terms. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the Islamic Republic “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago.”While acknowledging that messages continue to be exchanged between the two sides, Baqaei maintained that “no final agreement has been reached.”Tasnim news agency also reported that the US maritime blockade remains in effect and that vessels attempting to pass through the strait are “receiving warnings from CENTCOM to stop and not cross the blockade line.”Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Nikkei Asia that the continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz was creating significant pressure on both Washington and Tehran. “The international impact — including on energy security, food security, and rising prices — is immense,” Fidan said.”This has become a situation that takes priority over the nuclear files,” he added.Meanwhile, fighting on the Lebanese front has continued despite a separate ceasefire arrangement. The Israeli military on Saturday issued fresh evacuation orders for villages in southern Lebanon, one day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops had advanced more than 30 kilometres into Lebanese territory.A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on April 17 but has been repeatedly undermined by violations, with both sides blaming each other.The latest escalation began in early March when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following the US-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with extensive strikes across Lebanon and later launched a ground offensive. Israel and Lebanon have since opened direct negotiations, with a fourth round of talks expected next week.
