US Secretary of Defence Pete Hagel. Photo: Getty images
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hagel has threatened Iran with a “powerful blow” if negotiations to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme fail. In an interview with CBS, he said that if diplomacy fails, Washington will use other options to prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb, AFP and First Point reported.
“We have already demonstrated the ability to deliver powerful strikes over long distances, including against the Houthis. We don’t want to go down that road, but if we have to, we will,” said Hughes.
The day before, the United States and Iran held rare talks mediated by Oman to avoid a nuclear escalation. Both sides called the talks “very constructive” and plan to continue negotiations next Saturday.
At the same time, the United States still believes that Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, despite Tehran’s official statements about the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. After the US withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 under Trump’s presidency, relations between the two countries remain tense. In March, Trump resumed contact with Tehran, proposing a new format for negotiations and threatening to bomb if diplomatic efforts failed.
This statement demonstrates Washington’s readiness to take radical action if diplomacy fails, and could mark a new stage in tensions in the Middle East.
