Hegseth says Trump has ‘compel options’ if Iran fails to destroy its uranium

Published June 14, 2026 12:20pm ET



Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that President Donald Trump has “compel options” if Iran does not remove or destroy all of its uranium as stated in the proposed peace plan to end the monthslong war.

Speaking with CBS News’s Face the Nation, Hegseth was asked if ground troops would be used to remove the so-called nuclear dust from Iran, an action Trump has said would follow any agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.