Hegseth: Trump ‘Laser-Focused’ on Iran Deal or War Department

Speaking to reporters in Singapore following the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, Hegseth outlined the stark choice facing Tehran as negotiations over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and regional conduct continue, according to Breitbart News.

The War Department remains fully prepared and postured with greater strength than at the start of the administration to pursue military options if required, Hegseth indicated, though he emphasized the president would prefer to avoid such action through a diplomatic resolution that meets American security requirements.

His remarks followed a lengthy Situation Room session convened by President Trump on Friday, during which senior advisers reviewed a proposed framework that would reportedly maintain the current fragile ceasefire, secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and establish a 60-day period for further negotiations addressing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and other outstanding disputes.

Although Trump had indicated beforehand that he intended to reach a final determination on the proposed framework, no formal announcement emerged from Friday’s meeting. White House officials subsequently emphasized that any agreement must satisfy the president’s core demands, including a permanent block on Iranian nuclear weapons development, as Breitbart News reports.

During his Singapore press availability before departure, Hegseth stressed repeatedly that Trump will only accept an agreement he believes delivers substantial benefits for American security and global stability.

The War Secretary noted that only one president has been willing to definitively prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability after 47 years of failed policies, adding that Trump’s fundamental objectives have not changed throughout the negotiating process.

Hegseth suggested the administration perceives movement from Tehran toward Washington’s position even as the United States maintains its military posture and economic pressure campaign against the regime.

Iran understands American expectations with complete clarity, and responsibility now rests with negotiators to deliver results, Hegseth said. He characterized the talks as productive and indicated Tehran appears to be shifting in the direction demanded by the United States.

The Pentagon chief separately underscored that American military capabilities remain overwhelming and fully available should diplomatic efforts collapse, with stockpiles more than adequate for renewed operations across the Middle East and other theaters globally.

Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz persisted Saturday despite ongoing negotiations. Oman’s Maritime Security Centre issued a warning after detecting what appeared to be a floating naval mine in the strategic waterway, urging vessels to maintain heightened vigilance.

The alert followed earlier warnings from CENTCOM that vessels engaged in mine-laying activities in or near the Strait of Hormuz could face American military action as part of ongoing efforts to guarantee safe maritime passage through the critical shipping corridor.

Iranian lawmakers meanwhile reportedly advanced legislation designed to formalize Tehran’s sovereignty claims over the Strait, a position fundamentally incompatible with the Trump administration’s insistence that the waterway remain open to unrestricted international shipping.

Hegseth clarified Saturday that the American naval blockade connected to the conflict remains operational while negotiations over reopening the Strait continue. He indicated the ultimate objective is transforming the waterway into an open, toll-free passage available for unrestricted global use.

President Trump reiterated Friday that any final agreement must include immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted global commerce, removal of all remaining Iranian naval mines, and a permanent end to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear weapons program.

Iran must commit to never possessing a nuclear weapon or bomb, Trump wrote Friday on Truth Social.

Iranian officials, however, continued publicly resisting the administration’s description of the negotiations while expressing doubt about Washington’s demands.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated Friday that Tehran remains concentrated on ending the war and is not currently discussing specifics of the nuclear program framework.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf similarly dismissed American guarantees, declaring that Tehran places no faith in promises or rhetoric and measures Washington only by concrete actions.

With information from Breitbart News