US Ready to Act Against Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions

WASHINGTON: The United States hopes a diplomatic solution will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the US defense secretary stressed on Sunday that the military is prepared to act decisively if diplomacy fails, with the readiness “to go deep and to go big.”

US and Iranian diplomats initiated indirect discussions on Saturday in Oman, aiming to address Western concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the initial discussions in Oman as “productive” and “a good step” on Sunday.

During an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” he conveyed that President Donald Trump hopes to avoid military intervention but emphasized the demonstrated capability “to go far, to go deep and to go big.”

“Again, our preference is to avoid military action, but we are prepared to take such measures to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb if necessary,” he stated.

Trump asserted on Wednesday that military action, in coordination with Israel, remains “absolutely” a possibility if the talks in Oman are unsuccessful.

“Should military action become necessary, we will undertake it,” he told reporters. “Israel will undoubtedly play a significant role, potentially leading the effort.”

This statement followed a strong caution issued in late March, stating that “if they do not reach an agreement, bombing will occur.”

Trump withdrew the United States from a previous multinational nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, during his initial term as President.

Analysts suggest that Iran may be only weeks away from having the capability to produce a deployable nuclear weapon, although Tehran denies any intention to create such weapons.