SINGAPORE (Reuters) – The US is ready to restart attacks on Iran if a deal cannot be reached, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ​said on Saturday, as negotiators from Washington and Tehran worked ‌to bridge major differences blocking an agreement.
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“Our ability to recommence if necessary…we are more than capable,” Hegseth said in Singapore.
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“Our stockpiles are more than ​suited for that, both there and around the globe, ​so we’re in a very good place,” he added.
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Hegseth, â speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier forum for defence leaders, ​militaries and diplomats, said the US has not turned its back ​on the Asia-Pacific region despite being engaged in conflict with Iran.
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“We can do two things at one time. We’re super-charging our defence industrial base so ​that we’re building 2X, 3X, 4X the munitions very soon ​to ensure that all of our (operations) plans are properly funded throughout the world,” ‌he â said.
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The Pentagon chief said President Donald Trump was “patient” and wants to make a “great deal” that ensures Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.
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On Friday, Trump said he would meet in a secure ​White House room ​to make a “final â determination” on a proposal to end the Iran war, which would extend an early-April truce for ​another 60 days, giving negotiators time to forge ​a â permanent end to the conflict.
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The war launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in â Iran and ​Lebanon, and caused global economic pain ​by pushing up energy prices due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of ​Hormuz.
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‘BOOST DEFENCE BUDGET’
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Hegseth urged Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” ‌over its rapid military buildup.
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He said a stronger, more self-reliant network of allies is essential to deter aggression and preserve the balance of power.
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“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.
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“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” Hegseth said. “No state, ​including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question.”
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The US expects its Asian allies and partners to increase defence ​spending to 3.5% of GDP as it pledged a $1.5 trillion investment in its military, the Pentagon chief said.
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“Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs,” Hegseth said, stressing â that the region needed greater defence capability than conferences. Allies want stability, not escalation, he said.
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“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and ​leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”
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Hegseth also struck a measured tone on US-China ties, saying relations are “better than they have been in many years,” with ​more frequent military-to-military engagement helping to manage tensions.
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“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication.”
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Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University and retired People’s Liberation Army senior colonel who was part of the Chinese delegation, described US-China relations as “complicated.”
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Nonetheless, he said Hegseth struck “a much better tone” this year than last, attributing the shift to Trump’s visit to China.
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“Both sides have open channels of communication, the situation is ​not as exaggerated as the outside world makes it out to be,” Zhou said.
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China, whose defence minister is skipping the dialogue for a second consecutive year, accused Hegseth last year of making “vilifying” remarks.
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“NO FREELOADING”
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Hegseth ​echoed President Donald Trump’s long-standing demand that allies shoulder more of their own defence costs. Trump has pointedly said European and NATO partners should reduce reliance on Washington.
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“The era of the United States subsidizing the defence ‌of wealthy nations â is over,” Hegseth said. “We need partners, not protectorates,” he added. “We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”
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Hegseth praised contributions from allies including South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and said Japan was taking concrete steps to bolster its defences.
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Tokyo and Washington “must each pull our weight to strengthen the US-Japan alliance,†he said.
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ARMS SALES DECISION TO TAIWAN IS TRUMP’S CALL
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In his speech, Hegseth made no mention of Taiwan, a hotspot in ​relations between the U.S. and â China.
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When asked about arms sales to the island during questions that followed, Hegseth downplayed concerns that a multi-billion-dollar package could be affected as the United States draws down its weapons stockpiles amid the Middle East conflict. “We feel very good about our stockpiles and how we use them,” he said.
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Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has been waiting for the US to approve an arms sale that Reuters reported could be worth up â to $14 billion.
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Trump ​sowed uncertainty in Taipei by saying, after meeting China’s President Xi Jinping this month, that he was undecided on whether ​to approve the package.
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Any decision on future arms sales would rest with President Trump, Hegseth said, signalling no shift in Washington’s longstanding approach despite recent engagement with Beijing.
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“Those decisions will depend on the president and the nature of that relationship,” Hegseth ​said. “There’s been no change in our status.”