US Ready to Resume Iran Strikes, Warns Pentagon

The United States is fully prepared to resume military strikes against Iran if current diplomatic efforts fail to secure an agreement, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday (30 May). The Pentagon chief delivered this stark warning while diplomats from Washington and Tehran are actively engaged in negotiations to broker an end to the ongoing war.

Global Military Preparedness and Strategic Commitments

Speaking in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue—Asia’s premier defence summit—Hegseth asserted that the US retains the complete capability to restart military operations at a moment’s notice.

“Our stockpiles are not only perfectly suited for this type of contingency in that region, but globally, and we sit in a very advantageous position,” Hegseth stated.

The Defence Secretary explicitly clarified that despite Washington’s military involvement with Iran, the US has not diverted its strategic focus away from the Asia-Pacific region. He emphasised that the American military machine can manage both geopolitical fronts simultaneously. To support this dual-focus strategy, the US is aggressively bolstering its domestic defence industry. According to Hegseth, production lines will soon scale up to manufacture double, triple, or even quadruple the current volume of ammunition, ensuring the precise execution of all US global military operational plans.

The Pentagon chief further noted that US President Donald Trump is exercising considerable “patience” regarding the conflict. He explained that the President intends to secure an “excellent deal” that comprehensively guarantees Iran will never be capable of developing nuclear weapons.

Ceasefire Proposals and Conflict Timeline

This warning follows an announcement on Friday (29 May) by President Donald Trump, who stated he would convene a meeting in a secure room at the White House to make a “final decision” regarding a proposal to end the war. The proposed framework includes a 60-day extension of the initial ceasefire that was established at the beginning of April. This extension is intended to provide diplomats from both nations with the necessary timeframe to negotiate a permanent peace treaty.

The conflict officially commenced on 28 February following a joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel. The ensuing high-casualty confrontation has claimed thousands of lives, with the vast majority of the casualties reported among Iranian and Lebanese citizens.

Economic Impact and Global Energy Disruption

Beyond the immediate humanitarian toll, the hostilities have triggered a severe crisis within the global economy. In a highly strategic move, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical maritime transit corridors for petroleum. This closure has caused global crude oil prices to surge rapidly, destabilising international energy markets.

The key milestones and structural parameters of the ongoing conflict are outlined in the table below:

While diplomatic channels remain open to avert further escalation, the Pentagon’s latest positioning underscores that Washington is prepared to deploy decisive military power should the proposed peace framework collapse.