US Defense Secretary: Iran will not possess nuclear weapons and we will destroy its arsenal
In a new escalation of military rhetoric between Washington and Tehran, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed his country's firm stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions on Sunday, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic "will never possess nuclear weapons." These remarks put an end to speculation about the current US administration's policy on the Iranian nuclear issue, with Hegseth clarifying that the United States did not initiate this conflict but is determined to resolve it decisively.
Threat to destroy naval and missile capabilities
In detailing the American threat, the Secretary of Defense indicated that the Iranian regime is currently paying the price for its intransigence and refusal to conclude any agreements that would guarantee stability in the region. The Secretary did not limit himself to diplomatic warnings, but also brandished the threat of overwhelming military force, asserting that Iran's missiles and navy would be destroyed if the threats continued. This reflects a shift in the American deterrence strategy from containment to the direct threat of neutralizing Tehran's hard military capabilities.
Context of the conflict and historical background
These statements come at a time of unprecedented tension in US-Iranian relations, a continuation of decades of diplomatic estrangement and proxy conflict in the Middle East. Iran's nuclear program has long been a central point of contention between Tehran and the West. The United States previously withdrew from the nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), arguing that it was insufficient to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb and that it failed to address Iran's ballistic missile program, which Higseth alluded to in his recent threats.
Strategic and military dimensions
From a military perspective, the threat to destroy the Iranian navy carries serious strategic implications, given the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes. Iran relies heavily on its fast attack craft and naval capabilities in the Gulf to project power, and therefore, the American threat to destroy these capabilities would cripple Tehran's ability to maneuver in vital waterways. Furthermore, targeting its missile arsenal would strike at the very backbone of Iran's defense doctrine, which is based on missile deterrence.
Expected regional and international impacts
These statements are expected to cast a shadow over the regional landscape, as the Gulf states and Israel closely monitor the American position. On the one hand, Israel, the US ally, may interpret these statements as a green light for increased pressure on Tehran, while on the other hand, they may raise concerns among some international actors about the region sliding into open military confrontation that could impact energy prices and the global economy. Observers emphasize that the "We will finish it" message delivered by the US Secretary of Defense indicates Washington's desire to impose a new reality that prevents Iran from crossing the red lines drawn by the United States.
