The United States has made it clear that its military is prepared to intervene to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, even as diplomatic talks with Tehran continue in Oman.
On Sunday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that while the US prefers a peaceful resolution, it is fully ready to take military action if needed. Hegseth described the initial indirect negotiations between US and Iranian officials in Oman as “productive” and a “positive step” toward addressing the West’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, he emphasized that the military option is still on the table.
Read more: Trump Hints at Progress as US-Iran Nuclear Talks Continue in Oman
President Donald Trump, who echoed Hegseth’s remarks earlier in the week, confirmed that military action was still a possibility if the talks do not yield any results.
Trump stressed that the US would coordinate closely with Israel, which has long been concerned about Iran’s nuclear program. “Israel will obviously play a leading role in this,” he added, reaffirming the critical alliance between the US and Israel in the face of a potential nuclear threat.
This development comes after years of international tension over Iran’s nuclear program. In 2018, Trump pulled the US out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear deal meant to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, citing Tehran’s non-compliance.
Diplomatic efforts to revive the deal have since faltered, and experts now warn that Iran could soon have the capability to develop nuclear weapons. Iran, however, continues to deny any intentions to build nuclear arms, despite evidence suggesting its nuclear program is advancing.
Earlier this year, Trump issued a stern warning: “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” signaling the potential for military strikes if Iran persists in its nuclear pursuit.
While US officials stress their preference for diplomacy, the looming possibility of military intervention remains, and the US military is poised to act if negotiations fail. The coming weeks will be crucial as both sides prepare for the next round of talks, with the world closely watching whether diplomacy will succeed or tensions will escalate into conflict.
