Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military remains prepared for action as President Donald Trump paused a planned strike on Iran and turned toward negotiations aimed at securing a nuclear agreement.
Trump Halts Iran Strike Plans
On Sunday, in a post on X, Hegseth wrote, “Fact. The @DeptofWar was ready to go — and remains ready — at levels not seen since World War 2. Locked and loaded.”
Trump said that talks with Iran would begin after he stopped what he described as a “massive attack” that was being prepared.
“They knew the extent of the attack because they saw it forming,” the President told reporters aboard Air Force One.
He added, “Now what we’re doing is we’re talking to them in the form of a negotiation. It begins tomorrow afternoon and we’ll see.”
Iran Talks Focus On Nuclear Deal
Trump said leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar had urged him to cancel the operation, arguing that a diplomatic solution could be reached.
“There’s a deal on Hormuz and then there will be a deal on the nuclear,” he said, adding that his goal was the “denuclearization of Iran.”
Iran, Gulf Leaders Responded
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged Trump to de-escalate during a phone call.
Trump did not confirm whether the planned operation would have targeted energy infrastructure but said the U.S. remained “locked and loaded and ready to go.”
Iran denied requesting that Trump halt the attack, with the semi-official Fars news agency criticizing the U.S. president.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route did not indicate that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, calling the arrangement only a “necessary condition” but not enough to restore access.
Trump Paused Planned Iran Strikes
On Saturday, Trump said he called off planned strikes on Iran, contingent on reaching a “rapid” agreement.
He said the proposed deal would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Tehran’s nuclear program.
Trump said the U.S. military had been “locked and loaded” and prepared to act at a level of strength not seen since World War II.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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