‘He meant it’: Pete Hegseth warns Iran on nukes, signals Trump has military options ready

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Thursday warned Iran against pursuing nuclear weapons, saying the United States is ready to act under President Donald Trump’s orders. He made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting as the US continues to deploy warships and air assets across the Middle East amid rising tensions with Tehran.Hegseth said Iran “should not pursue nuclear capabilities,” and added, “we will be prepared to deliver whatever this president expects of the War Department.” He said the military build-up is meant to show readiness and deter threats in the region. Pointing to recent US military actions, Hegseth referred to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling it an unmatched operation. “No other military in the world could have executed the most sophisticated, powerful raid,” he said. “No other president would have been willing to empower those warriors that way.”He said such actions send a clear signal globally. “That sends a message to every capital around the world that when President Trump speaks, he means business,” Hegseth said, adding that the department is “reestablishing deterrence.”Referring to strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, he said, “When President Trump said, ‘We’re not getting a nuclear Iran,’ he meant it.”