Day 93 | US military ready to resume combat in Persian Gulf if needed, US defense secretary warns
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American military is ready to resume combat operations in the Persian Gulf if necessary, adding that US forces are now in a stronger position than they were at the start of the conflict.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is continuing to weigh a tentative agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch nuclear talks with Iran. However, no final decision has been announced following his meeting with advisers in the White House Situation Room on Friday.
In Lebanon, the 'Israeli' military warned of a possible escalation in Hezbollah attacks on northern 'Israel' as its forces push deeper into southern Lebanon as part of operations targeting the Iran-backed group.
Day 94 of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran
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Read more: Day 94 | Iran signals progress in US talks as 'Israel' pushes deeper into Lebanon
VIDEO - ‘Israeli’ footage of troops taking over Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon
‘Israeli’ military footage of troops from the Golani Brigade capturing the Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon.
‘Israeli’ soldiers crossed the Litani River, and made their way toward the castle, which overlooks the Galilee Panhandle in northern ‘Israel’, as well as the Nabatieh area in southern Lebanon.
VIDEO - ‘Israeli’ strikes hit southern Lebanon
Smoke billows after ‘Israeli’ strikes on Tyre and Kfar Tebnit.
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to push deeper into Lebanon after saying his military had taken the 12th-century Crusader-era Beaufort Castle, calling it a "dramatic shift" in the campaign against Hezbollah.
Trump concerned about Iran financial gains in possible deal: CNN
US President Donald Trump voiced concerns about Iranian financial relief in the possible US-Iran peace deal that is still under negotiations.
CNN, citing officials, said Trump is worried about comparisons to the “pallets of cash” that were delivered to Iran under the nuclear deal in the Obama era.
The news comes as the US network also reports that Trump sent back changes to the proposed deal with Iran after meeting with his officials on Friday.
VIDEO - Iran chief negotiator says no deal with US until Iranian rights secured
Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warns the United States is not to be trusted, saying Tehran will not agree to any deal with Washington unless it fully secures Iranian rights.
"We will not approve any agreement until we are certain that the rights of the Iranian people have been upheld," Ghalibaf said, in a video broadcast on state television and posted on social media by Ghalibaf.
Trump says US ‘shouldn’t have been in Iran’
US President Donald Trump defended his approach toward Iran while reflecting on past US military interventions during an interview with Fox News.
Trump criticized the 2003 Iraq War, calling it a "foolish thing" and saying the United States should not have been in Iraq in the first place.
He also argued that the US should not have been involved in Iran but claimed American military action was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
"If we didn't hit them with B-2 bombers, nine months ago, they would have a nuclear weapon right now," Trump said, adding that the region could have faced far greater instability.
The US president further claimed that Washington largely avoided targeting Iran's military, describing it as "somewhat moderate" compared with other elements of the Iranian leadership.
Trump said previous wars had shown the dangers of completely dismantling a country's institutions, arguing that such actions can leave nations unable to recover for decades.
Trump says he’s in no hurry to reach deal with Iran
US President Donald Trump said he believes the United States can reach a "great deal" with Iran but warned that Washington is prepared to pursue military action if negotiations fail.
Speaking about the ongoing talks, Trump said a diplomatic agreement would save lives and could lead to the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments.
He described Iranian officials as "very tough negotiators" but said the United States was gradually securing its objectives through the talks.
"It takes a long time. I'm in no hurry," Trump said, arguing that rushing negotiations could undermine the chances of reaching a successful agreement.
The US president added that if Washington does not obtain the outcome it seeks through diplomacy, it would "end it a different way," signaling that military options remain under consideration.
Iran reports downing US drone over unspecified location
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iranian forces intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-1 drone, claiming the aircraft was attempting to carry out what it described as a “hostile operation.”
The report did not provide details on the time or exact location of the alleged incident.
The MQ-1 Predator drone, used for surveillance and combat missions, has long been deployed by US forces across the Middle East.
Iran unveils fast attack boat capable of launching cruise missiles
Iran has unveiled a new naval attack craft during a ceremony in Tehran, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
The vessel, named “27 Rajab,” was presented in Enqelab Square and is described as part of Iran’s expanding maritime military capabilities.
Fars reported that the craft can reach speeds of up to 100 knots, or about 185 kilometers per hour, and is equipped with systems capable of launching long-range cruise missiles.
The unveiling was presented as a demonstration of Iran’s naval strength amid ongoing regional tensions and heightened military activity in surrounding waters.
Trump seeks Iran peace deal that ‘satisfies his red lines’
Donald Trump is considering whether to approve a proposed agreement with Iran, as US officials warn that Washington remains prepared for military escalation if diplomacy fails.
The United States has warned it is “more than capable” of resuming military operations against Iran, even as diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes to secure a potential agreement.
Unnamed US officials told AFP that a draft deal is awaiting final approval from President Donald Trump, who did not reach a decision following a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday.
According to Trump’s stated position, any agreement must meet strict conditions, including a permanent ban on Iran developing nuclear weapons and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route.
A White House official said, “President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” adding, “Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon.”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a security summit in Singapore that Washington remains “more than capable” of restarting military action if required, noting that “our stockpiles are more than suited for that.”
The Pentagon has maintained a heightened posture, while US Central Command said American forces “remain present and vigilant across the region,” signaling continued military readiness as negotiations proceed.
Hegseth says US ready to strike Iran if talks fail
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is fully prepared to resume military strikes against Iran if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth stressed that the military option remains available despite continued negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
He said President Donald Trump is showing "patience" at this stage but remains committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Hegseth added that the US defense industry is operating at full capacity, underscoring Washington's readiness to act should diplomatic efforts collapse.
