WASHINGTON (TNND) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the United States is prioritizing a deal to end the war with Iran, even as military operations intensify and President Donald Trump continues to threaten further strikes.
"Our job is to ensure that we compel Iran to realize that this new regime is in a better place if they make that deal," Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing. "The primary effort is a deal. We want that deal to be accomplished, if at all possible -- if not, then we're prepared to continue."
Hegseth said a "regime change has occurred" in Iran and suggested its new leadership understands U.S. terms, but warned that if Tehran fails to comply, the military campaign "will continue with even more intensity."
He also highlighted a recent visit to U.S. Central Command, declining to specify which bases he visited, and praised the resolve of troops who had just returned from missions over Iran.
Hegseth said recent U.S. strikes are degrading Iran's military capabilities, pointing to a drop in missile and drone launches and intelligence showing declining morale among Iranian forces. He added that U.S. forces have carried out thousands of strikes in recent weeks, including real-time "dynamic" targeting of mobile threats.
"I asked each young American, what do you need?" Hegseth said. "And nobody said better equipment, nobody said more comfortable living conditions, nobody said, 'Send me home.'"
Instead, he said, service members urged leadership to press forward.
"Let's finish the mission. Get us even more bombs, bigger bombs, more targets. Let us finish this," he said.
Hegseth emphasized that any decision on when U.S. objectives are complete -- and when to finalize a deal -- will ultimately be up to Trump, based on what he determines is in the interest of the American people.
Trump has struck a dual message in recent days, expressing optimism about diplomacy while escalating his rhetoric.
In remarks Monday, the president said negotiations with Iran are "moving along very nicely," signaling cautious optimism that a deal could be within reach. At the same time, he warned that if talks collapse, the U.S. is prepared to target and "obliterate" Iran's energy and water infrastructure.
Iran, however, denies that direct negotiations are taking place. A spokesperson for its foreign ministry called U.S. demands "excessive, unrealistic and illogical."
Pressure from U.S. allies in the Gulf may also shape the administration's next move.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other regional partners are urging Trump to continue the military campaign, arguing Iran has not been sufficiently weakened by the monthlong bombing operation, according to U.S., Gulf and Israeli officials.
Officials from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain have privately told the administration they do not want the war to end until there are major changes in Iran's leadership or behavior.
The divide underscores the competing pressures facing Trump -- whether to pursue a diplomatic resolution or continue a military campaign that key allies believe has not gone far enough.
Meanwhile, fighting continues to intensify, underscoring the pressure being applied as negotiations remain uncertain.
Overnight, U.S. strikes hit one of Iran's main nuclear sites, while Tehran responded by attacking a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf. U.S. military leaders say more than 11,000 targets have been struck since the operation began, including missile systems, naval assets and weapons facilities.
Gas prices surged past $4 a gallon on Tuesday for the first time since 2022, according to AAA, amid concerns over Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz -- a critical artery for global oil shipments.
Trump dismissed complaints from countries affected by rising fuel costs.
"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He also said they should buy from the U.S. because "we have plenty."
Pakistan has also offered to host talks between the U.S. and Iran aimed at de-escalating the conflict, though officials say no date has been set.