Hegseth says U.S. is not seeking “nation-building” in Iran but warns any new military action would be “quick and decisive”

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is not seeking to occupy Iran or deploy large numbers of ground troops, but remains determined to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“We’re not trying to nation-build in Iran. We’re not trying to put a bunch of troops on the ground and take over the region,” Hegseth said.

He said Iran could choose whether the nuclear dispute is resolved “the easy way or the hard way,” adding that President Donald Trump would ultimately decide the U.S. response. “If that moment comes, it will be quick and decisive,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth added that Trump wants peace but is prepared to take whatever action he considers necessary, arguing that a nuclear-armed Iran would be dangerous not only for the United States but “for the entire world.”