Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth said US President Donald Trump is willing to make a deal to end the war, while adding that the new Iranian regime led by Mojtaba Khamenei should be wiser than the previous one.
Notably, Mojtaba’s father and then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the opening day of US-Israeli strikes in Tehran on February 28, a move that triggered Iran to launch retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli bases across the Gulf and effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz.
“If Iran is smart, it will make a deal. The new Iranian regime should already know that. This new regime, having undergone a regime change, should be smarter than the previous one. President Trump will make a deal, he is willing, and the terms of the deal are known to them,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth said the coming days in the Middle East conflict will be decisive, while asserting that pressure on Iran is mounting as the war enters its second month.
He claimed that US strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s military capacity, leading to falling morale, shortages of key personnel and an increase in desertions within the armed forces.
“We have more and more options, and they have fewer,” he said, adding that the US has been able to shape the course of the conflict in just one month.
The Defence Secretary said that intelligence assessments indicated growing strain within Iran’s military leadership, with frustration building at senior levels. He also noted that he had visited US troops deployed in the Middle East over the weekend to assess ongoing operations.
Reiterating Washington’s stance, he warned that the US would escalate its response if Iran refuses to come forward and agree to a deal. “If Iran is not willing, operations will continue with even greater intensity,” he said, adding that American military strength is increasing while Iran’s capabilities are being steadily degraded.
Acknowledging that Iran may continue to launch missile attacks, Hegseth said US defence systems remain capable of intercepting them. He also stressed that Tehran is aware of its limited military options in the current scenario.
GET YOUR OWN OIL: TRUMP
Earlier in the day, Trump said countries hit by fuel shortages amid the escalating Middle East conflict have limited options and that they must either buy energy from the US or secure supplies themselves through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.
In a sharp message to allies who have stayed out of the conflict, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US cannot be expected to shoulder the burden alone and urged nations to “take” what they need if necessary. He specifically criticised countries like the UK for not joining the military campaign against Iran.
The crisis follows Iran’s move to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 per cent of global oil supply passes, soon after US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. The disruption has triggered a fuel crunch in several countries and pushed crude prices above USD 100 per barrel, up from the USD 75 mark.
On Monday, Trump warned that American forces would “obliterate” Iran’s energy infrastructure if Tehran refuses to agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, adding that key assets like oil-rich Kharg Island could also be targeted.
Despite repeated warnings, the US has so far failed to reopen the crucial shipping route and has called on allies to deploy naval forces, though response has been limited.
On its part, Iran has rejected US demands and signalled further escalation, continuing missile and drone attacks on US and allied targets in the region.
– Ends
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