STORY: The United States is ready to restart attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday, (May 30) as negotiators from Washington and Tehran worked ‌to bridge major differences blocking an agreement.

"Right now, we're focused on being postured and prepared to reengage if we have to" Hegseth told reporters.

The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump was "patient" and wants to make a "great deal" that ensures Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.

The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump was "patient" and wants to make a "great deal" that ensures Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.

The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices due to Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Hegseth said there are places the U.S. can work with China adding the U.S. strategy is "to be strong, but we can speak softly while carrying that big stick."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: SINGAPORE (MAY 30, 2026) (U.S. NETWORK POOL - Broadcast: No use USA. Digital: No use USA)

1. U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSSETH WALKING TOWARD MEDIA

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYING:

"So, Iran knows very, very clearly what our expectations are, and that's on the negotiating team to deliver. They're coming in our direction. The talks have been productive. I think they know where it needs to go. And I'm quite confident with this, with our president, who makes nothing but great deals that ultimately it'll be something he's proud to defend that ensures that Iran which everyone knows should not have a nuclear weapon, never does."

4. WHITE FLASH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYING:

"Ultimately, like I said, any deal that the president is willing to make, he's only going to make it if he believes it's a great deal for our country and the security of the world."

6. WHITE FLASH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYING:

"I mean, right now, we're focused on being postured and prepared to reengage if we have to. I mean this is a high stakes negotiation, we've got the best negotiator in the world leading it, uh... Iran may not want to give up their nuclear ambitions, but we believe at the table they can and will over time, given the right set of incentives. But the most powerful incentive is the capabilities we have there right now, which they can't ultimately defend against at any real level. And so those are decisions in the future the president will make based on how this ends. But I feel confident that he'll get to a deal that serves the interests of the American people."

8. WHITE FLASH

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETE HEGSETH, U.S. DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYING:

"I think our message today was very much in sync with precisely where the president wants to go, which is we're gonna be strong, but we can speak softly while carrying that big stick and be very clear about the fact that there are places where we can work together with China. We respect their ambitions, we know that they have a significant military buildup...that comes with considerations we have to take as a sovereign nation to ensure that we're prepared for any possible contingency. At the same time, our position hasn't changed on Taiwan. I said that publicly in my remarks today."