Pete Hegseth: US Ready to 'Negotiate With Bombs' in Iran Conflict

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The United States (US) is preparing a new round of military strikes on Iran as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Tehran to reach a nuclear agreement, with senior American officials arguing that military action could help accelerate stalled negotiations.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed on Wednesday that American forces would conduct attacks against what he described as key Iranian targets. Speaking after a meeting with commanders at US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Florida, Hegseth said the operation was intended to increase pressure on Iran amid ongoing disputes over a potential nuclear deal.

"President Trump said we will be hitting Iran hard, and we will be," Hegseth told reporters. He added that additional strikes could follow if necessary.

As reported by Al Jazeera, Hegseth characterized the planned attacks as part of a broader effort to secure the outcome sought by the Trump administration.

"That's not because we want to restart anything we don't have to restart," Hegseth said. "It's because the War Department is prepared to set the terms to ensure that we get the kind of deal President Trump expects."

CENTCOM later announced what it described as "additional self-defense strikes," saying the attacks were conducted in response to what it called Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression."

Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Gorgan, and Hengam, while air defense systems were activated in parts of the country.

The latest escalation follows the downing of a US AH-64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. Trump blamed Iran for the incident and vowed retaliation, although US officials said the helicopter crew was safely recovered.

"We hit them hard yesterday and we're gonna hit them again hard today," Trump said at the White House. "We were really close to a deal. But they keep tapping us along. They keep playing us for suckers."

According to the US Department of War, Hegseth reviewed operational plans with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper before departing the headquarters.

The administration continues to insist that its objective remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump said the proposed agreement would permanently prohibit Tehran from developing such capabilities.

"I've been working with Iran for a number of months, and they should sign the deal," Trump said. "It's a good deal. It doesn't give them the right to have a nuclear weapon."

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have focused on several unresolved issues, including restrictions on uranium enrichment, the future of Iran's nuclear facilities, and sanctions relief.

Hegseth argued that military pressure could help bring Iran back to the negotiating table.

"Iran has an opportunity to make a deal," he said. "President Trump is a dealmaker — the best in the world. He's prepared to make that deal."

The secretary also highlighted the ongoing US naval presence in the Strait of Hormuz under an operation known as Project Freedom. According to the Pentagon, the mission is intended to protect commercial shipping and ensure the continued flow of energy supplies through one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

Hegseth claimed that US forces had protected the transit of approximately 100 million barrels of oil through the strait in recent weeks.

"The United States of America controls the Strait of Hormuz," he said. "We're able to bring oil in and out and other things with partners."

The renewed military action comes despite a fragile ceasefire announced in April. While major hostilities had largely subsided since then, tensions have risen again this week following the helicopter incident and subsequent exchanges of attacks.

As reported by Al Jazeera, Hegseth rejected suggestions that the United States was seeking a broader conflict, although he did not rule out further military operations.

"If we need to negotiate with bombs, we'll negotiate with bombs," he said.

The remarks have drawn criticism from some observers, who view the administration's strategy as an example of military pressure being used to achieve diplomatic goals.

Iran has signaled it is not prepared to back down. Since the latest US attacks began, Tehran has reportedly launched strikes against US military facilities in Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain.

Despite the escalating rhetoric, the Trump administration continues to maintain that diplomacy remains possible if Iran agrees to the terms under discussion.

For now, however, military operations and diplomatic negotiations appear to be unfolding simultaneously, as both sides seek leverage in one of the region's most volatile confrontations.

Read: Hegseth Says 'No State, Including China,' to Dominate Asia