Hegseth says military in position to restart operations against Iran ‘if we need to’

Published June 18, 2026 8:10am ET



War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military was in a position to restart operations against Iran “if we need to,” shortly after President Donald Trump signed the memorandum of understanding in Versailles, France.

Speaking to reporters on the tarmac before departing from Brussels, Belgium, Hegseth indicated that, though the MOU sought to end the war with Iran, the U.S. was also prepared to launch renewed strikes if Tehran was not seen as having fulfilled its commitments under the deal.

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.