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.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the United States is making gains in its conflict with Iran after a key Iranian naval target was destroyed, confirming that the strike was carried out by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka. Rescue efforts are now under way for the ship’s crew.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (29 January) he planned to speak with Iran, as the United States dispatched another warship to the Middle East and said the military was ready to act.
A Pentagon investigation has raised concerns over U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the Signal app on his personal device to transmit sensitive information regarding planned U.S. strikes in Yemen, potentially compromising U.S. military operations.
The White House has defended a U.S. admiral's decision to conduct multiple strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in September, saying he had Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's authorisation, even as critics questioned the legality of a strike on survivors.
The pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and U.S. media said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. was talking to the right people in Iran to make a deal on Tuesday (24 March), as Pakistan's Prime Minister offered to host peace talks between the two countries to bring about an end to the conflict.
Trump says U.S. found “major points of agreement” with Iran and has paused strikes on Iranian power plants, but Tehran denies any direct talks or negotiations, contradicting U.S. claims - latest on Middle East conflict.
Violent clashes broke out between police and opposition protesters in Tirana on Sunday (22 March) as demonstrators were demanding the resignation of the Albanian government following corruption allegations against the deputy prime minister.
Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued strain after a temporary Eid ceasefire ended.
Voting has ended in Denmark’s parliamentary election, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seeking a third term after a campaign shaped by tensions with the U.S. over Greenland and mounting domestic concerns.
Eurozone private sector growth almost stalled this month, a key survey showed on Tuesday, adding to evidence that the bloc is already feeling economic fallout from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, with inflation rising and growth slowing.
China is raising domestic petrol and diesel prices under temporary measures to manage a sharp surge in global oil costs, aiming to support fuel suppliers while maintaining market stability during a period of heightened volatility.
Russia launched drones and missiles overnight on Tuesday at Ukraine, killing at least three people, damaging houses and triggering fires, Ukrainian officials said.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday (23 March) that Britain must plan for the possibility that the Iran war could continue for some time, and added that he had no "meaningful concerns" about energy supply.
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