Pete Hegseth warns Iran to choose nuclear deal or military action

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that Iran faces a choice between abandoning its nuclear ambitions through a negotiated agreement or facing “devastating military action.” Speaking to military training students at the University of Tennessee, Hegseth warned that Tehran must decide quickly whether to negotiate or face the level of destruction the United States is capable of delivering rapidly if necessary.

Hegseth accused Iran of building a large conventional missile arsenal to deter military action while simultaneously pursuing nuclear capabilities. He emphasized that American military strength is essential to force adversaries to the negotiating table. He further noted that Iran funds proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen, and stated that Washington seeks to deter attacks on U.S. forces and vessels.

The Secretary framed the policy toward Iran as part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to reassert American power. This includes combating drug cartels and reducing the influence of Iran, China, and Russia in Latin America. Regarding Venezuela, Hegseth described the nation as a strategic partner with significant oil resources, suggesting that U.S. operations there would have “implications that last for generations.”