US Defence Secretary warns of new Iran sanctions if deal violated

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that America is prepared to reimpose sanctions on Iran if the country fails to comply with nuclear agreement commitments. Speaking on Thursday, Hegseth said the initial deal with Tehran was reached from a position of American strength, and suggested Washington would not hesitate to enforce penalties if Iran breaches its obligations.

Hegseth indicated that several European nations have expressed willingness to participate in efforts to monitor the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane. The US Defence Secretary’s comments come as the Biden administration seeks to maintain pressure on Iran whilst keeping diplomatic channels open with European allies over the nuclear accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The remarks underscore the Trump administration’s tougher stance on Iran policy compared to the previous administration, which had rejoined the JCPOA. Hegseth stated that the US would be ready to resume negotiations with Iran if the nation honours its commitments under any future agreement, signalling that sanctions could be lifted if compliance improves.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.