Hegseth says US ‘positioned and ready’ to re-engage with Iran
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the United States is “ready and ready” to re-enter the war against Iran if no deal is reached.
The United States and Iran exchanged attacks on military facilities over the weekend, blaming each other for the escalation and further testing continued diplomatic efforts toward a cease-fire and an end to the three-month war.
The US military announced on Monday, June 1, that it had conducted “self-defense” strikes against Iranian radar and drone sites after the Iranian government shot down an American drone over the weekend. In response to recent U.S. airstrikes, Iran announced it had targeted an air base used by the U.S. military.
“Iran really wants a deal, and it would be a good deal for the United States,” President Donald Trump said in an early morning social media post. The president did not mention the weekend strike, but lashed out at war critics, including those he described as “seemingly unpatriotic Republicans.”
“Just sit back and relax, everything will work out in the end, it always does!” he said.
The Kuwaiti military announced on June 1 that its air defense forces were countering and intercepting enemy missile and drone attacks. In a post by X, the military advised residents to “obey security and safety instructions.”
The latest attacks between Iran and the United States come as efforts continue to end the war. It is unclear how the latest escalation will affect negotiations. Both countries went on similar strikes last week.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghai on June 1 accused the United States of changing its negotiating position and condemned what he described as American aggression. Abbas Araqchi, the country’s top diplomat, also accused Israel of violating the terms of the cease-fire by stepping up attacks on southern Lebanon in its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
“A violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts,” Arakuchi wrote in the X newspaper, adding that “the United States and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on June 1 that he had ordered an attack on Hezbollah-controlled suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Israeli forces also expanded their ground invasion into southern Lebanon, establishing a “buffer zone” there, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and destroying villages near Israel’s northern border.
After Hezbollah attacked Israel in support of Iran, Israel launched a ground invasion. Despite a ceasefire agreement between the Lebanese government and Israel, Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue to exchange attacks and rocket fire, threatening negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
As the war drags on, Iran maintains control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas flows. The conflict has become increasingly unpopular in the United States as Americans face rising prices. The average gasoline price in the United States was $4.32 per gallon as of June 1, according to AAA.
Contributed by: Reuters
Christopher Cann is a national news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact him at ccann@usatoday.com or follow him at X @Chris__Cann.
