The U.S. military stands prepared to execute any decision President Donald Trump makes regarding Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Wednesday, as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies with ongoing Israeli strikes against Iranian targets.
Testifying before a Senate committee, Hegseth maintained a cautious public stance, refraining from confirming whether the Pentagon had prepared specific strike options. However, under questioning from lawmakers, he affirmed the military's readiness to carry out any orders concerning Iran. He emphasised that Tehran should have heeded President Trump's calls for a deal on its nuclear program before Israel's strikes commenced last Friday.
"They should have made a deal. President Trump's word means something. The world understands that. And at the Defence Department, our job is to stand ready and prepared with options, and that's precisely what we're doing," Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
When asked if the administration was moving to re-establish deterrence, Hegseth responded, "I think we already have in many ways in this environment re-established deterrence. The question is, in the coming days, exactly what direction that goes."
President Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House, declined to comment on potential U.S. strikes on Iran or its nuclear facilities. He noted that Iran had reached out for talks but stated, "It's very late to be talking." Trump remarked on the significant shift in the situation from a week ago, asserting, "Nobody knows what I'm going to do." He also described Iran as "totally defenceless, with no air defence whatsoever," as Israel's strikes entered their sixth day.
Sources familiar with internal discussions indicate that Trump and his team are considering options, including the possibility of the U.S. joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected Trump's demand for "unconditional surrender."
Residents of Tehran have reportedly jammed highways, fleeing intensified Israeli airstrikes. In the latest reported bombing, Israel stated its air force destroyed the headquarters of Iran's internal security service.
One person was killed and at least six others injured during a shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania....
Australia police said on Tuesday two people were killed in an explosion at an underground mine in the far west region of the state of New South Wales....
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday voiced strong support for Lithuania, condemning the repeated incursions of helium-filled ...
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has warned that Russia is recalibrating its political strategy following recent regional elections and intends to contin...
Hamas is expected to hand over the remains of an Israeli hostage on Monday night as part of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement, Israeli media report...
The U.S. military conducted strikes against two vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five alleged drug smugglers, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday. The operation marks an expansion of the Trump administration’s use of the armed forces in its counter-narcotics campaign.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on Tuesday to discuss military cooperation and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., to be armed, as the Trump administration continues its controversial crime crackdown in the capital.
The U.S. has reaffirmed its commitment to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. It's after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attended a series of high-level meetings in Washington on Monday including with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez announced on Monday (October 27) that she will propose suspending a broad energy cooperation agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, including ongoing joint gas projects currently under negotiation.
The UN has warned of an “ugly” humanitarian situation in El-Fasher, North Darfur, where civilians fleeing violence are at risk of starvation and ransom demands, officials said Monday.
More than 250,000 tons of waste have accumulated across Gaza City, creating what local officials describe as a growing “environmental and health disaster” amid ongoing water shortages and sewage leaks.
One person was killed and at least six others injured during a shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.
Australia police said on Tuesday two people were killed in an explosion at an underground mine in the far west region of the state of New South Wales.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment