U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is not ruling out military strikes against Iran [1, 2, 3].
The statement signals a heightened state of readiness and a willingness to use force to deter Iranian aggression during a period of escalating regional tensions.
Speaking during a press briefing in Washington on Monday, Hegseth said that the U.S. is keeping all options available [1, 3]. This approach includes the potential for direct military action if deemed necessary to protect national interests or allies [3].
Beyond the possibility of kinetic strikes, Hegseth said that economic pressure remains a primary tool for the administration [1, 2]. The U.S. continues to evaluate the effectiveness of current sanctions and the potential for further financial restrictions to curb Iran's activities [1, 2].
The Defense Secretary did not specify a timeline or a particular trigger for military action. However, he said that the current climate of escalation requires a flexible response strategy—one that integrates both diplomatic pressure and the credible threat of force [1, 2].
This stance follows a series of diplomatic frictions between Washington and Tehran. By publicly maintaining the option of military strikes, the U.S. aims to create a deterrent effect against further provocations [1, 2].
The Pentagon continues to monitor regional developments closely to determine if economic measures are sufficient or if military intervention is required to stabilize the region [1, 3].
“the United States is not ruling out military strikes against Iran”
The explicit mention of military strikes by the Defense Secretary suggests a shift toward a more aggressive deterrent posture. By pairing the threat of force with economic pressure, the U.S. is attempting to limit Iran's strategic options while signaling to regional allies that Washington is prepared to intervene kinetically if diplomacy and sanctions fail.
