US says it is ‘highly capable’ of restarting war with Iran as talks remain unresolved
The United States warned on Saturday that it is prepared to resume military operations against Iran if necessary, as President donald trump Reiterated that any deal with Tehran must meet key US conditions, including a permanent end to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions.A draft outline is awaiting Trump’s approval, according to US officials cited by AFP. However, the President stopped short of making a decision after a meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday.Speaking at a defense summit in Singapore, the US Secretary of Defense pete hegseth Emphasizing Washington’s military readiness, he said the US is “very much capable” of resuming the war if needed and “our reserves are well suited for that.”US Central Command (CENTCOM) reinforced that message, saying on Twitter that US forces “remain present and alert throughout the region.”The comments came amid conflicting signals on a possible breakthrough in the talks. While the White House has indicated that Trump is considering a possible deal, Iranian officials say the talks have not yet led to a final agreement.Although a ceasefire signed in April remains largely intact, tensions remain high. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that the country’s air defense systems intercepted a drone on Saturday and described it as “belonging to the American-Zionist aggressive enemy.”Diplomatic efforts are also continuing. Discussions have also focused on the conflict in Lebanon, which Iran has insisted on as a condition of any comprehensive agreement with Washington. Israeli troops are advancing into southern Lebanon, while military delegations from Israel and Lebanon met at the Pentagon on Friday.Trump has outlined several conditions for the deal, including guarantees that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” a White House official told AFP. “Iran can never possess nuclear weapons,” he said.However, Iran has rejected what it sees as US efforts to dictate terms. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said the Islamic Republic had “said goodbye to the ‘essential’ language 47 years ago.”Acknowledging that messages were continuing to be exchanged between the two sides, Bakai said that “no final agreement has been reached.”Tasnim news agency also reported that the US maritime blockade remained in effect and that ships attempting to pass through the strait were “receiving warnings from CENTCOM to stop and not cross the blockade line.”Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Nikkei Asia that the ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is creating significant pressure on both Washington and Tehran. “The international impact – including energy security, food security and rising prices – is huge,” Fidan said.“It has become a situation that takes priority over the nuclear files,” he said.Meanwhile, fighting continues on the Lebanese front despite a separate ceasefire arrangement. The Israeli army issued new evacuation orders for villages in southern Lebanon on Saturday, a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had advanced more than 30 kilometers into Lebanese territory.The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect on April 17, but is being weakened by repeated violations, with both sides blaming each other.The latest tensions began in early March when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel following the US-Israeli assassination of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded with widespread attacks across Lebanon and subsequently launched a ground offensive. Israel and Lebanon have since resumed direct talks, with a fourth round of talks expected to take place next week.