Talks with Iran Gaining Momentum, Says Army Secretary
Army Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed on Tuesday that discussions with Iran are “very real” and are picking up speed, even though some Iranian officials seem to express a different viewpoint.
“I spoke with Steve, Jared, the vice president, Marco, and several others yesterday, so I can assure you the talks are indeed ongoing, active, and empowering. We appreciate that,” Hegseth stated, mentioning U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He noted, “Our attacks have weakened Iran’s military morale, resulting in widespread desertions and shortages of key personnel, alongside growing dissatisfaction among senior leaders.”
When discussing recent changes in Iran, Hegseth remarked that “regime change has occurred,” a sentiment echoed by President Trump recently.
Moreover, on Monday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf indicated he is engaging with U.S. negotiators on behalf of the new government. Hegseth emphasized, “Our responsibility is to make Iran aware that this new administration will negotiate from a stronger position if a deal can be secured.” He spoke on Tuesday.
He cautioned, though, that “the primary goal is to reach an agreement. We hope to achieve that if possible, but if not, we are ready to persist.” Hegseth also stressed, “President Trump is serious; he isn’t stepping back. There has been a change of government, and the new administration should be wiser than its predecessor.”
“American forces are growing stronger, while Iranian capabilities are diminishing. We are expanding options, and they seem to be running out,” he stated.
Hegseth explained that eliminating Iran’s missile program and ensuring the regime “never obtains nuclear weapons” are essential goals for the U.S. He also mentioned that ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz should be a collective aim worldwide.
“I think the president’s statement this morning reinforces our position that the Strait of Hormuz issue is not solely a U.S. concern,” he remarked.
“We’re ready to take the lead. President Trump has always taken the lead, but we are not in this alone,” he added.
Hegseth reflected on visiting U.S. troops involved in Operation Epic Fury over the weekend, though he couldn’t divulge specific locations for security reasons. He expressed admiration for the troops’ capabilities and commitment to their missions.
“What I heard from Americans—young and old, officers and enlisted, men and women, diverse backgrounds—was a unifying message: ‘Let’s complete the mission. Provide us with more bombs, larger bombs, and more targets,’” he noted.
On Monday, Iran subtly shifted its diplomatic stance, moving away from its outright refusal to negotiate and acknowledging receipt of a U.S. cease-fire proposal via a third party. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai dismissed the proposal as “unrealistic, illogical, and excessive.”
