In the aftermath of rare talks between the two countries aimed at preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons, the United States Minister of Defense warned, this Sunday, that the United States will “hit Iran strongly in the event of a failure of nuclear discussions.
“If we cannot solve the problem at the negotiating table, there are other options to ensure that Iran never obtained a nuclear bomb,” said Pete Hegseth in an interview with the CBS channel. “With what we are facing the Houthis and in the region, we showed our ability to hit far and very strong (…). We don’t want to get there, but if necessary, we will do it to prevent Iran from getting the nuclear bomb, “he added.
Replace the 2018 agreement
The two countries, which have not had diplomatic relations since 1980, exchanged on Saturday under the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman. Pete Hegseth called “very constructive” talks, like Tehran. Discussions will continue next Saturday.
Western countries, the United States in mind, have been suspecting Tehran for decades to want to have nuclear weapons. Iran, whose economy is strangled by sanctions, rejects these allegations and affirms that its activities in nuclear are limited to civil purposes.
Washington had withdrawn in 2018 from an international nuclear agreement with Iran, partly motivated by the absence of measures against its ballistic program, perceived as a threat to its Israeli ally.
But Donald Trump returned to contact in March, sending a letter to Tehran to resume nuclear negotiations, with a view to replacing the previous agreement that has become a deciduous. In parallel, he threatened to bomb Iran in the event of diplomacy failure and taken additional sanctions against the Iranian oil sector.