US Defense Chief: "The next few days are critical… If Iran doesn’t agree, strikes will be tougher"

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

The US defense secretary said the next few days will be critical regarding military operations against Iran, warning that if there is no agreement, more forceful strikes will follow.
With President Trump setting April 6 as the deadline for negotiations with Iran, he said attacks on energy infrastructure inside Iran have been put on hold.
He emphasized that while the US prefers negotiations if Iran is willing to give up its (nuclear) material and ambitions, it will continue attacks with greater intensity if Iran shows no willingness to reach a deal.

Forecast Trend Report by Period

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the “next few days will be critical” regarding military operations against Iran, warning that if Iran fails to reach an agreement, more forceful strikes will follow.

Speaking on the 31st (local time) at the Pentagon in a media briefing on the situation in the war against Iran alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Hegseth said, “Iran knows that the next few days will be critical.”

He added, “There is very little they can do militarily,” and said, “If Iran is willing to give up the (nuclear) material it possesses and its ambitions, we would much prefer to resolve this through negotiations. We do not want to take military action beyond what is necessary.”

However, he stressed, “If Iran has no willingness to (reach an agreement), the Department of War will continue (attacks on Iran) with greater intensity.”

The remarks came as senior US government officials, including President Donald Trump, have been collectively pressing Iran to agree to an end to the war. President Trump has set April 6 as the deadline for talks with Iran and has, for now, held off on attacks on energy infrastructure inside Iran.

Kim Soo-young, Hankyung.com reporter swimmingk@hankyung.com