US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reiterated that Iran is pursuing advanced military capabilities that he says could enable it to build nuclear weapons. In recent remarks, he strongly argued that regimes like Iran should not be allowed to develop such weapons and insisted that the recent conflict and US military action will prevent Tehran from realising these ambitions.
Hegseth also commented on the nature of the current conflict, saying it is not aimed at regime change but rather at stopping threats posed by Iran’s military and missile programme. His statements reflect deep US concern over Iran’s military development and its potential nuclear capability.
Hegseth warns Iran against nuclear weapons
Pete Hegseth said that the US will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, repeating a long-standing US position that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions must be halted. He linked Iranian military threats to its broader weapons programmes and said forces would act to neutralise those threats.
Hegseth’s comments come amid a major US-led aerial campaign that has struck Iranian military infrastructure, which US officials say includes above ground ballistic missile sites and command centres. He framed this operation as part of the effort to dismantle Iran’s ability to harm the US or its allies and to prevent any future nuclear capability.
“Crazy regimes” can’t have nuclear capability
In his statements, Hegseth used strong language about Iran’s regime, saying that “crazy regimes” like Iran should not be allowed to hold nuclear weapons. While he emphasised that the goal is not regime change, he also stressed that Tehran’s refusal to negotiate or restrain its weapons programme has led to heightened military action.
These remarks reflect the US administration’s justification for its military strategy and underline its focus on preventing Iran from ever realising a nuclear weapons capability.