Trump's Continued Pursuit of a Nuclear Agreement with Iran
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed on Monday that President Donald Trump remains committed to securing a nuclear deal with Iran, despite escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel.
During an interview on Fox News, Hegseth emphasized, "We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that's what happens here."
Rising Tensions Following Israeli Strikes
Last Friday, Israel launched attacks against Iranian targets, intensifying the conflict between these regional adversaries. Over the course of five days, Iranian officials reported more than 220 deaths, predominantly civilians, while Israel confirmed 24 civilian fatalities.
Israel maintains its objective is to neutralize perceived threats stemming from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile efforts. Meanwhile, Iran continues to deny any intent to develop nuclear weapons, asserting its right to nuclear technology strictly for peaceful purposes under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Context
It is critical to note that Israel, although widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, is not a party to the NPT and neither confirms nor denies its nuclear arsenal.
US Denies Direct Involvement While Maintaining Defensive Posture
Washington has thus far insisted it is not participating in Israeli military actions against Iran. The US has also issued warnings to Tehran against targeting American personnel or assets in the region.
Speaking on Fox News, Hegseth underscored the US commitment to defense: "We're vigilant, we're prepared, and we have messaged… consistently from the beginning that we're in the region to defend our people and our assets."
Additionally, White House aide Alex Pfeiffer refuted claims circulating online suggesting American forces were conducting offensive operations against Iran. On the social media platform X, he clarified: "This is not true. American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed."
Regional Conflict Raises Global Concerns
The ongoing air conflict between Iran and Israel has heightened anxiety throughout the Middle East, a region already strained by Israel's military actions in Gaza since October 2023. The situation remains highly volatile, with international observers closely monitoring developments.
