The United States has reiterated its readiness to resume military action against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning that Washington remains fully capable of restarting operations if necessary. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Hegseth said the administration of President Donald Trump continues to pursue diplomacy while maintaining military preparedness. His remarks came as Trump reviewed a proposed 60-day extension to a fragile ceasefire framework that has been under discussion between American and Iranian officials.

Addressing delegates at Asia’s leading defense and security forum, Hegseth emphasized that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a central objective of US policy. While stressing that diplomacy remains the preferred route, he said the United States is prepared for alternative scenarios should negotiations collapse. The comments reflected Washington’s dual-track strategy of pursuing dialogue while retaining the option of military action to safeguard its security interests and those of its allies in the region.

The developments follow a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room, where President Trump and senior national security officials reportedly reviewed the proposed ceasefire extension and the broader diplomatic roadmap with Iran. The discussions are seen as critical, with Trump expected to make a final determination on the framework. However, uncertainty remains over the status of the agreement, as Iran’s Foreign Ministry has stated that the proposed deal has not yet been finalized, indicating that key issues may still require resolution before a formal understanding can be reached.

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The ceasefire proposal is widely viewed as an attempt to reduce tensions and create space for further negotiations after a prolonged period of strained relations between Washington and Tehran. Analysts believe the outcome of the talks could have significant implications for regional stability and future US-Iran relations. As diplomatic efforts continue, international observers are closely monitoring developments for signs of progress or renewed confrontation, with decisions made in the coming days expected to shape the security landscape of the Middle East.

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