US Ready to Resume Iran Strikes if Talks Fail

A woman walks next to a mural on a street in Tehran, Iran, May 18, 2026.

The United States is prepared to resume military strikes on Iran if negotiations fail to produce an agreement, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday, as diplomatic efforts continued to bridge major differences between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking in Singapore, Hegseth said the US remains fully capable of restarting military operations if necessary and has sufficient military resources positioned both regionally and globally.

He said President Donald Trump remains committed to securing an agreement that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while also keeping military options available if diplomacy fails.

Hegseth added that the US is expanding its defence production capacity to strengthen military readiness and ensure adequate supplies for operations worldwide.

The remarks came as negotiations aimed at ending the conflict continued. Trump recently said he plans to present a proposal to extend an earlier truce for another 60 days to allow more time for a long-term settlement.

The conflict, which began in late February following US and Israeli military action against Iran, has killed thousands and intensified instability across the Middle East. The crisis has also disrupted global energy markets, with tensions around the Strait of Hormuz contributing to higher fuel prices and economic uncertainty.