US remains 'hell-bent' on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, says Hegseth

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran that President Trump is determined to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating that Iran will 'never, ever, ever' have a nuclear bomb. Hegseth declined to confirm a third aircraft carrier deployment, acknowledged Iranian efforts to rebuild missile capabilities, and asserted US control over the Strait of Hormuz blockade.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning to Iran on Saturday, stating that President Donald Trump is 'hell-bent' on preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters, Hegseth declared that Iran will 'never, ever, ever' have a nuclear bomb, and that the country faces a decision point: 'give it up the way that they should, without any leverage that they have, or it may have to happen the hard way.' Hegseth declined to confirm whether the US intends to deploy a third aircraft carrier to the region, saying his job is to 'maximize the decision space for the commander in chief.' He acknowledged that Iran is attempting to reconstitute its missile capabilities and launchers, but argued that the damage inflicted during Operation Epic Fury has severely complicated those efforts, making it a 'very slow process.' Hegseth also asserted that the US controls the Strait of Hormuz, describing the blockade as 'ironclad' and running at 'pre-war levels.' He maintained that Iran's naval and air capabilities have been so degraded that it cannot challenge American dominance. Hegseth stressed that Trump has offered Iran opportunities for negotiation but that the president will have 'all the options he needs on the table' if Iran does not make the 'right choice.'