Iran-US War: Pete Hegseth Says US Holds Advantage After US–Iran Ceasefire Announcement

Soon after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, the US administration signalled that it believes the pause in hostilities came after securing a strategic edge in the conflict.

Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Pete Hegseth said the actions taken by Donald Trump in the final hours before the ceasefire played a crucial role in shaping the outcome.

According to Hegseth, the decisions made during that tense period "created history" and helped shift the balance of the confrontation in Washington's favour.

US claims strong negotiating position

The defence secretary suggested that the United States had already achieved significant military gains before agreeing to the truce.

"Iran's destiny is in our hands," Hegseth said, adding that the US entered the ceasefire discussions from a position of strength after securing what he described as a decisive battlefield advantage.

His remarks indicated that Washington believes the pause in fighting does not weaken its strategic leverage over Tehran.

Firm stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions

Hegseth also reiterated the US position that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.

He said the ceasefire aligns with long-standing American security objectives and emphasised that Washington still retains several options, including economic and military measures, if the situation escalates again.

The defence chief added that while the United States could have applied even harsher pressure on Iran's economy, the administration chose restraint by opening a window for diplomacy.

Pentagon warns of possible future action

At the same time, Hegseth warned that military action could resume if Iran refuses to hand over enriched uranium.

While he did not confirm whether Tehran had agreed to any such condition, he suggested the US could carry out further strikes similar to previous operations targeting Iran's nuclear facilities.

"We reserve that option," Hegseth said, indicating that Washington remains prepared to act if tensions rise again despite the current ceasefire.