US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has praised President Donald Trump’s handling of Iran, arguing that the administration has combined decisive military action with continued diplomatic pressure. His comments came as new reports suggested that Trump had authorised plans for further strikes, although the exact timing and scope remained uncertain.
Hegseth Backs Iran Strikes During Camp David Meeting
Speaking during a televised Cabinet meeting at Camp David on July 31, Hegseth credited Trump with taking military action against Iran’s nuclear programme after earlier presidents had considered similar options but stopped short because of the risks.
Hegseth pointed to Operation Midnight Hammer, the earlier US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, as proof that Trump was willing to act when diplomacy failed. He said the president had shown the courage to order the mission and bring the earlier 12-day conflict to a close.
The defence secretary argued that previous administrations understood the military options available to them but hesitated because any strike could trigger retaliation, threaten American troops and destabilise the wider Middle East.
Midnight Hammer Operation Shapes Trump’s Iran Policy
The administration has portrayed the Midnight Hammer operation as a major blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Trump and senior officials have repeatedly claimed that the mission severely damaged key sites, although assessments of the programme’s long-term condition have remained politically contested.
Hegseth said the operation demonstrated that the United States could apply overwhelming force while still pursuing a negotiated outcome. His comments reinforced the administration’s message that military pressure and US-Iran diplomacy are not competing strategies.
Trump has frequently argued that strong action gives American negotiators greater leverage. Hegseth echoed that position, saying Washington had experienced officials capable of negotiating with Tehran if Iranian leaders showed a willingness to reach an agreement.
New Iran Strikes Report Raises Escalation Concerns
A July 31 report citing unnamed US officials said Trump had approved plans for another round of military action that could begin over the weekend. The report followed Trump’s warning at Camp David that the United States would hit Iran “very hard” if Tehran refused to change course.
However, the public position was less definite. The White House signalled that Trump was considering additional military strikes as tensions rose again, rather than publicly confirming a final operational timetable. That distinction matters because military plans can change quickly due to diplomacy, intelligence assessments, weather, force readiness or regional security risks.
US forces had already carried out retaliatory attacks following an Iranian missile strike against American personnel in Jordan. Those developments weakened hopes that a recent pause in attacks could lead to a lasting diplomatic breakthrough.
US-Iran Diplomacy Continues Under Military Pressure
Despite the threat of renewed strikes, the Trump administration has not formally closed the door on Tehran negotiations. Officials have continued to present diplomacy as an option, but only if Iran accepts limits on its nuclear and military activities.
The current strategy carries significant risks. Additional attacks could pressure Iran to negotiate, but they could also prompt retaliation against American bases, regional allies or commercial shipping routes. A prolonged campaign could also strain US military stockpiles and deepen political opposition at home.
The most important development now is not Hegseth’s praise but whether Trump converts the reported strike plan into an operational order. Until the White House or Pentagon confirms that action has begun, headlines should describe new attacks as planned, authorised or under consideration—not as completed strikes.
